Page:Introductory lecture delivered to the class of military surgery in the University of Edinburgh, May 1, 1855 (IA b21916469).pdf/19

18 officer,—who, if he knows his duty, and chooses to do it, may be a very independent man,—if such things can be done by a regimental surgeon, what ought to be the influence of a man of energy, experience, and decision at the head of the department?

I have already hinted that the trammelling of the medical department has been a growing evil, although spoken of by many as something new. The limited powers and want of independent action, has been more or less a standing and a just cause of complaint ever since I knew anything of the service; but in spite of this, we have often had the duties of the department carried on with success, and we have had men amongst us, more than one, who, if an independent action was not conceded to them, did not hesitate to take it.

Amongst these, I am tempted to mention a name which will probably be new to most of you—the name of my late friend Mr. Young—and I do this the more willingly, because he is little beholden to posthumous fame, in consequence of never, so far as I know, having written anything for publication. This gentleman, in his regimental days, was a predecessor of mine in the Royals, where his name was long