Page:McCosh, John - Advice to Officers in India (1856).djvu/79

 patients in the general hospital, and wonder why such magnificent buildings and so large an establishment are not turned to more account. He will find the Native Hospital and Medical College Hospitals well worthy of frequent visits, as also the meetings of the Medical, and Asiatic, and Agricultural Societies. But he should weigh his income well before he becomes a member of either. He should not fail to attend all other public meetings; for though they may not be quite in his line, they are good schools for initiating him in the customs of the country and rubbing off the shyness and reserve not uncommon amongst young men fresh from school.

8. PROBATION OF ASSISTANT SURGEONS.—It is a subject of regret that the time spent by Assistant Surgeons after their arrival is not turned to better account. Doing duty at the general hospital is a mere misnomer; for they have no duty to perform, further than to kill time, beyond a discretionary attendance at the morning visit; and they generally leave it as unacquainted with the practical duties of their profession as when they left the university. A reform here is much wanted. The surgeon of the general hospital, with but little duty to perform, ought to have as active and efficient superintendence over young assistants, as the superintendent of cadets in Fort William has over young officers of the line; and