The Cons, of 18th Sept., 1678, mention a French Chyrururgeon
Fransi5sco Cutineth, living in Black Town. He was called before
the Council, who associated Bezahel Sherman with them to hear the case, to give evidence about the death of a private soldier, named John Ballance, whom he had attended, who died from the effect of blows given by Corporal Henry Law.
At the beginning of the year 1687 the Council of Fort St. George were anticipating an attack by the troops of the Great Mogul, i.e. Aurangzeb, who was then invading Golkonda. The Cons, of 2ist Feb., 1686/87, contain orders regarding the duties of various members of the community in case of an attack, including the medical officers. f
"Doctr Willmot & Hummer's charge is vizt. To provide and make Salves for wounds, and to bee as sparing of the Small Chirurgery Box on the Rebecca as they can, that we may not want upon great occasion.
"There being a sett of large Chirurgeons Instruments att Metchlepatam which may bee useful here, upon any expedition, Itt is ordered that Mr Freeman &ca bee wrot to, to send them hither."
The Cons, of 2nd Sept., 1689, record a payment to a Dutch Surgeon.
Francis Bett having by distemper and distraction lately wounded himselfe at Porto Novo factory, whereby for want of a Surgeon they were necessitated to call the Dutch Surgeon to his rehefe, & cure, which being charged to him, he requests that as being the Compas Servt it may be allowed by the Rt Honble Compa wch being consider'd and that twas his owne rash Act, tis order'd that he bear the halfe charge thereof, & that the cheife do allow the other halfe thereof."
The following medical certificate, entered in the Cons, of 16th Aug., 1693, is probably the earliest such certificate given in India which has survived. J
"We the subscribers having according to your Orders visited Mr John Nicks, find him very much indisposed by a Chilly numbness in his feet and hands, and an oppression in his Brest and Stomach which is a hindrance both to his speech and breathing, these symptoms in all probability are occasioned by melancholy, want of exercise, and his being oblidge
- Colin Mackenzie MSS., Vol. LII. The Cons, of this year are missing in the Fort St. George Factory Records.
t Factory Records. Fort St. George, Vol. IV. The passage is quoted in Wheeler's Madras in the Olden Time, Vol. I, p. 169.
X Colin Mackenzie MSS., Vol. LVI. The Cons, from January, 1690/91, to January, 1692/93, are missing from the Fort St. George Factory Records. This certificate, and the note about Francis Bett, are both given by Love, Vol. I, pp. 529 and 564.
