Page:A History of the Indian Medical Service, 1600-1913 Vol 1.djvu/258

230 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICE from his juniors; nor would the Medical Board have been so divided in opinion in the matter.

The oldest list of the Bengal Medical Service which appears to be in existence is one dated 30th May, 1774, preserved in the Calcutta Record Office, in manuscript. In this hst Andrew Cranston's name stands fifth among the Assistant Surgeons, with the remark opposite to it " is an of6cer Hkewise." Had it been customary, or even common, for medical officers to hold the double rank, it is not likely that such a remark would have been entered opposite the name of one Assistant Surgeon, and of one only. Incidentally, this remark also seems to show that an Assistant Surgeon was not then considered an officer.

In this list Balfour's name is omitted, which seems to show that, at that time, he was considered permanently to have left the Medical Department.

No trace can be found of the G.O. issued in 1783, directing that officers doing the double duties should rehnquish one or the other, which is mentioned in Staunton's letter. No such order can be found in the Mily. Cons, and G.O.'s for the years 1782, 1783, and 1784.

On 4th Aug., 1777, a Board of Field Officers was appointed, with instructions " to investigate and determine the rank of Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons " in Bengal. They drew up a list in accordance with their instructions. This hst is included in the Mily. Cons, of 20th Oct., 1777. It comprises sixty-three officers, twenty Surgeons and forty-three Assistant Surgeons. Balfour's name is not included, though his rank as Surgeon is dated from loth Aug., 1777. The name of John Craigie stands twenty-sixth among the Assistant Surgeons. No mention is made of his ever having held a combatant commission. The officer referred to is John Craigie, who entered the service as Assistant Surgeon on 28th April, 1772, became Surgeon on 21st Feb., 1780, and died on board the Houghton, on his way home, on loth Feb.,

1795- ..

Captain Frederick Breton certainly served for some time m

the Medical Dept., as is shown by an entry in the Mily. Cons, of ist Jan., 1779.

"That M"^ Lynd, who was appointed Surgeon to Major Carnac's Detachment, having reported himself unable to proceed with it, from Indisposition, Lieutenant Frederick Britton, at the recommendation of