Page:On the Coromandel Coast.djvu/121

Rh and Ecclesiastical Services, it has its origin at the very commencement of the East India Company's operations. When the merchants received their Charter (1599-1600), and fitted out their first expedition under Sir James Lancaster, a surgeon was one of the paid officers on the staff.

The training of the early medical man consisted of serving an apprenticeship to a surgeon and an apothecary, which two professions were generally united in one person. At the termination of the apprenticeship a certificate was given which constituted his diploma. The knowledge of the ordinary practitioner was not great. He knew how to 'let blood,' which seemed to be considered a panacea for all complaints. He could set a simple fracture, and he had some knowledge of the preparation of infusions, emulsions, and extractions from herbs. Of tropical diseases he was totally ignorant. It was not surprising to read that Master Surfflict, who sailed on the Dragon with Sir Henry Middleton (1604-5) in the combined capacity of doctor of physic and chaplain, was counted incapable both as a spiritual and medical adviser, and utterly unable to cope with the 'calentures' and 'fluxes,' as they called fever and dysentery in those days, that decimated the crew. His knowledge must have been of the most primitive nature. It was certainly not sufficient to enable the physician to heal himself. He died on the voyage home, of one of the strange tropical complaints which had carried off so many of his patients.

As soon as settlements were established surgeons were appointed to them. They were recognised as covenanted servants of the Company ; and their names appeared on the pay-lists with those of the Governor and the rest of the staff. They messed in the Company's house with their fellow-officers, and had their place marked out in order of precedence. The salary of a surgeon was thirty