CHAPTER XIII
THE FOUNDATION OF THE SERVICE
"He builded better than he knew."
R. W. Emerson, The Problem.
The Bengal Medical Service was founded by orders passed in the Fort William Cons. of 20th Oct., 1763, by which the individual medical officers then serving in the Bengal Presidency were, with effect from 1st Jan., 1764, combined into a regular medical establishment, with fixed grades, and definite rules for promotion from grade to grade. These orders run as follows:—
"At a consultation present
- The Honble Henry Vansittart, Esq. President.
- John Carnac, Esq.
- Warren Hastings, Esq.
- Randolph Marriott, Esq.
- Hugh Watts. Esq.
- * * *
"As there has never been any proper Establishment settled for the Appointment and Succession of the Surgeons employed under this Presidency.
"It is now agreed that the following Plan shall be established regulating their Number, Rank, and Succession and Appointments and that it shall take place the 1st Jany 1764—vizt.
"4 Head Surgeons to reside at Calcutta and have the Privilege of Company's Servants.[1] The two first to have the Hospital Contract.
"8 Surgeons of which the four eldest to be stationed at the Factories of Patna, Cossimbuzar, Chittagong and Dacca. And the other four to be Surgeons of the Army, and the whole of this Rank to succeed in Rotation to be Head Surgeons at Calcutta.
"28 Surgeons Mates who are to succeed in their Seniority to be Surgeons. Of these the eight eldest upon the list to live in Calcutta, the next Eight to be Surgeons Mates of the Army, and the other twelve to be Surgeons Mates of the Seapoys, one to each Battalion.
"Head Surgeons and Surgeons at the Subordinates[2] and the Army
