Jan., 1914.] THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE MEDICAL BOARD.

had to wait some twelve, nearly twenty years. It would have probably taken him several years, Original ^Hitles;. ten or to possibly twelve, get his company as a so he combatant, naturally chose to accept pro- motion in the medical SURGEON-GENERAL JAMES ELLIS. department, and resigned his commission as Ensign. He remained in the By D. G. CRAWFORD, army, however, as a military Surgeon, for two LIEUTENANT-COLONEL (retired list), years more ; and, as an Army Surgeon, served Bengal Medical Service. in the Bihar war of 1763, under Major Adams, against Qasim Ali Khan, the Nawab of One of the most in the Bengal. striking figures early Adams defeated the Nawab's forces in three of the Medical Service is James history Bengal decisive actions, at Katwa on 19th at Ellis, the third officer in that to bear July, Presidency Gharia on 2nd August, and at Undwa the title of Surgeon-General, the first Nala, Physician- East of on 5th Ellis was General, and first President of the Medical Board. Rajmahal, September. present, and was the senior medical officer James Ellis went out to India in 1758 as present, Surgeon at the actions of Gharia, which he calls of the Streatham. That vessel was lost in the Sooty and Gharia are close both are in of Ellis reached and was (Suti together, Bay Bengal. Calcutta, the north-west corner of Mursliidabad a mate or Assistant district), appointed Surgeon's Surgeon and of Undwa Nala. After the latter he served on 1st November 1759. He was sent on active in the Khargpur jungles, now in service at once, and spent the next three years Monghyr district, and at the siege and capture of the in jungle fighting in the tracts which are now the Monghyr, Nawab's capital. He does not appear to have districts of Midnapur, Burdwan, and Birbhum. been present at the capture of Patna, which ended He seems to have taken to military life, kindly the war, and drove Qasim Ali a into for, a after he in November 1760, fugitive year joined, India, but remained at in he was a Commission as Upper Monghyr, charge granted Ensign by Henry of a General established Vansittart, the Governor of who had Hospital there, which Bengal, was transferred to Patna after the of been nominated as his successor Clive. Pend- capture that by Ellis with it. It is ing Vansittart's arrival from Madras, John city, going hardly likely that Ellis was the only medical officer with Adams' Zephaniah Holwell, a former member of the force, indeed he himself says he was the Senior Medical Service, took over from Clive, charge Surgeon of that force, which the who went home in January 1760, and acted as implies presence of But he is the one whose name Governor for six months, from 28th juniors. only is just January recorded as in the and to 27th 1760. serving campaign, that July the accident of the Ellis was thus one of the few members of the only by preservation by " Orme of his memorial, below. I. M. S., who for some time held a double com- given In the and in the mission," i.e., a commission as a combatant officer previous fighting, Patna some in addition to his warrant as Assistant Surgeon. massacre, perished sixty-five officers; of He was fortunate in his whom sixteen were Civilians, including two mem- extremely promotion, bers of William Ellis and for he was appointed a full Surgeon by Vansittart Council, William Hay at and a Peter in October 1761. According to the rules then in Patna, third, Amyat, previously killed at Murshidabad six were medical force, an officer who had received a combatant ; officers, and the remainder commission as well as a medical warrant could combatants, Captains and Subalterns William hold the two as as he remained ; Fullerton, Surgeon of Patna together only long the in the rank of Subaltern. When his turn came Residency, being only officer, civil or military, of the force in for promotion, either to Surgeon or to Captain, previously Bihar, who escaped he with his life. The medical officers who fell were had to make up his mind in which branch of Head Clement who had accom- the army he would remain ; either to retain his Surgeon Crooke, from combatant commission and the medical panied Hay and Amyat Calcutta, Surgeons quit William Peter department, or to remain permanently in the Anderson, Campbell, Henry Harlan or and Smith, the last called a latter, his commission as Ensign or Harling, Swiss, resigning the name sounds Lieutenant. Most of the officers who held a though English enough. Perhaps his name was double commission in this manner elected to really Schmidt. Harlan's career, as Subaltern of deserter to remain in the medical service; a few, notably Surgeon, Artillery, the Marathas, and finally is one of Archibald Swinton and Archibald Keir, " Surgeon again, preferred interest. But that is another to continue to serve in the combatant ranks. story." These five were all killed in the Patna massacre. The Ellis appears to have been the only one who had sixth, John Ham, of Kasimbazar to make his choice while still an Ensign. The Surgeon factory, had died as a others had all reached the rank of Lieutenant, previously prisoner at Monghyr. and were fairly senior in that rank, before they Crooke was second Surgeon of Calcutta, and had to make their decision. his death left that post vacant. The Fort William Ellis, however, was so fortunate as to reachConsultations of 9th November 1763 note that the the rank of full Surgeon with only two years'appointment is to be offered in succession to service, a rank for which many Assistant SurgeonsDoctors Francis Russell of Dakka, William THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE. [Jan., 1914.

Fullerton of Patna, and John Davidson of Chitta- Surgeons respectively in Calcutta. Gray resigned who declines the and went gong, and state that any officer home in March 1760, Fullerton resigned post now will be considered to have resigned all the Calcutta appointment about the same time, to claim to it in the future. All three declined the take up that of Surgeon to the Patna Residency, appointment, preferring to remain in their mofussil and went home on leave soon after. Tyso Saul stations. Fullerton had already held the post Hancock and John Taylor were appointed in their for ten years, during which he had served in the places. Hancock resigned the service on account siege of Calcutta in June 1756, and at its recapture of failing eyesight on 23rd March 1761. He was in 1757. He was on duty on boardship afterwards to the service on 25th January re-appointed" at the time of the final surrender, so escaped the November 1770 as Supernumerary Surgeon, Black Hole. He finally resigned the service in not to rise," and died in Calcutta on 5th November March 1766. Russell remained at Dakka for 1775. He was an intimate personal friend of another twelve years ; he resigned on 24th Febru- Warren Hastings. On Hancock's resignation ary 1775, and died at Bath on 5th August 1791. William Plenderleath, Surgeon of Kasimbazar fac- Davidson, in spite of the above orders, came to tory, succeeded him. Plenderleath was drowned Calcutta later on, in May 1766. He resigned in the Hughli early in 1762, when Clement Crooke on 11th January 1768, and was still living in was transferred from Chittagong to succeed him, retirement near Edinburgh in 1792. When he and Davidson from military employ to Chittagong. retired, Daniel Campbell was transferred from Possibly Ellis, who was second Surgeon, may Kasimbazar to succeed him in Calcutta. have acted for a time in 1765 as first Surgeon. The Fort William Consultations of 25th Novem- Ellis had risen to be head of the Civil branch of ber 1763 record that, Russell, Fullerton. and the service with little over eleven years' service. Davidson having all declined the post, Ellis is He had, however, no authority over the medical appointed one of the Head Surgeons in Calcutta. officers in military employ, Surgeon-General The Presidency Surgeons in Calcutta, two in Anderson being the head of that branch. Ellis number up to 12th April 1763, and four after retained the post of First Surgeon for little over that date, were called Head Surgeons, and the two years. Two General Letters from Fort senior had some authority over the other members William, dated 1st March 1773 and 15th March of the service, but his administrative powers were 1774, report his resignation, the appointment of vague and ill defined, until the appointment of a Campbell to succeed him, and his departure for controlling officer with the title of Surgeon-General. England (Abstracts, Letters from Bengal, Vol. II, The institution of this post was recommended by 1770-74, pages 240 and 350). General Richard Smith on 8th November " 1869, Letter of ls? March 1773, para. 53. Senior Surgeon and reported to Court, as carried out, in para. Mr. Daniel Campbell succeeded on Mr. Ellis's resigna- 57 of a Fort William General Letter, dated 25th tion ; liave found it necessary to unite the two Depart- 1770 Letters ments of Civil and Military Surgeons, which will pub January (Abstracts, from Bengal, them on a more and Vol. equitable footing prevent jealousies." I, 1760-1770, page 403). Letter of 15th March 1774, paragraph 108.?"Mr. " Surgeon-General to the Army appointed at the recom- James Ellis, your late Chief Surgeon, takes passage by mendation of General Smith, 8th November. Mr. James this ship." Anderson appointed at ten shillings a day." Ellis seems to have spent a year in Calcutta, The Christian name, James, is a clerical error. after his resignation, settling up his private affairs. The officer was Thomas appointed Anderson, Probably, like most of the Company's servants, the Senior The of ten Military Surgeon. salary he was extensively engaged in private trade. a was in addition to his shillings day regular pay He left Calcutta in the Resolution, the ship which and allowances as Surgeon. carried the letter of 15th March 1774. So he Thus Ellis attained the of Head post Surgeon returned home after sixteen years' absence. No with four service. He only years' says himself, doubt the other members of the service congratu- in his second that he memorial, given below, lated themselves on a step, and thought became first in 1765. But his getting Surgeon July that they had seen the last of Ellis. But there memory here seems to have been in for a fault, were wrong. General Letter from Fort dated they William, 12th As stated in the extract above, Daniel Campbell states in 88 February 1771, para. (Abstracts succeeded Ellis as head of the Civil branch of the Letters Vol. from Bengal, II, 1770-1774, page 70)' service in February 1773, and at the same time he "First Surgeon Mr. John Taylor has resigned, and seems to have become Military to Surgeon-General proceeds Europe on the Worcester, and is succeeded bv the two branches of the and Mr. James Ellis." also, service, military civil, which had been separated for some seven had Taylor joined the Madras Service in 1748 years, being again combined. Campbell seems or 1749, had been transferred to Bengal from to have been employed entirely on the civil 4th January 1754, and had held the appointment side, and to have done little if any military of Surgeon at Calcutta since June 1760, when he duty till his appointment as Surgeon-General. had been transferred from the army. For the Whether Anderson resigned that post in 1773, ten years previous to 1760, George Grey and or whether he was superseded by Campbell, is William Fullerton had been first and second not clear. He died at Bombay in March 1777, Jan., 1914.] JAMES ELLIS' MEMORIALS.

Campbell held the post of Surgeon-General on the way out, at Johanna. This is one of the and First Surgeon for over ten years, resigning Comoro islands, between the north end of Mada- in 1783. His resignation did not, however, give gascar, and the mainland of Africa, a place at a step to the service ; and the officer next in rank which outward bound Indiamen frequently to him, Andrew Williams, was disappointed in called to replenish their stores of food and his hopes of succeeding to the appointment. water. A General Letter from Court, dated 15th January Andrew Williams originally came out to India 1783, in para. 16 states (Abstracts, Despatches as Surgeon of a King's Regiment. The Fort to Bengal, Vol. I, 1753-1785). William Consultations of 21st December 1767 " contain a from him for civil Mr. James Ellis proceeds to his Station of Second Sur- petition asking in which he states that geon on your Establishment p. Barwell." employment, he joined the Bengal Medical Service, at the request of On his arrival he took up the post of Second Vansittart, then Governor, in 1760, quitting the Surgeon, and succeeded Campbell as Surgeon- King's Regiment to which he belonged, when it General a month later. These facts are reported went home. His petition was refused, on the in two Public Letters from Bengal, dated 23rd ground that his application was too late, and in October and 30th November 1783 (Abstracts, military employ he remained throughout his Letters from Bengal, Vol. IV, 1783-1789). service, chiefly in the first Brigade. He was when that rank was Letter of 23rd October 1783, para. 48.?" Mr. James Ellis, appointed Surgeon-Major a Letter from Second Surgeon, admitted to the Station assigned him." instituted, General Fort William, Letter of 30th November 1783, para. 33.?" Doctor Daniel dated 16th 1784, reports in para. 14 has February Campbell, Surgeon-General, resigned the Service, and that he had been the rank and allowances proceeds to Europe p. Worcester. Petitions from the granted a As on Inhabitants and Surgeons in testimony of his merit, and of Lieutenant-Colonel. stated above, requesting us to convey to you their wishes that he may be the institution of the Medical Board he was permitted to return to his Station. We unite our request second member. In the to the same effect. Copies of the Petitions transmitted." appointed following year he applied for three years leave home, in a entered in the of Ellis on this occasion held the post of head memorial Proceedings the Medical Board of 21st he states that he of the service for first six years. The most July 1787, joined in ha*d in the noteworthy event of his tenure of office was the 1760, spent twenty-seven years appointment of the Medical Board, which was country, and had been disappointed in his hopes to of instituted in obedience to a letter from Court, of succeeding the post Surgeon-General by dated 21st September 1785. The formation of the return of Ellis from England in 1783. A Fort the Board is recorded in Bengal Minutes of Council William General Letter of 15th December 1778 in 37 Letters of 22nd May 1786, and in a G. 0. of 8th June states para. (Abstracts, from Bengal, 1786. It held its first meeting on 29th May. Vol. .IV, 1783-1789). with the " Ellis became President, title of Physician- Mr. Andrew Williams, Chief Surgeon, permitted to General and a salary of ?2,500 a year; Andrew resign and return to Europe on the Thetis ; recommended for leave to return." Williams was appointed second member, with the title of Chief and a of ?2,000; Surgeon salary Three later he was at last on the Head of the General years appointed, Surgeon Presidency to the post of President of the Medical Hospital, John Fleming, became ex-ofjicio third paper, Board, by the Court of Directors, as announced or junior member, with a salary of ?1,500, super- in a Military Letter to Bengal of 6th May 1791 many of his seniors. The Majors seding Surgeon Despatches to Bengal, Vol. II, 1785- of Brigades, under the new scheme of medical (Abstracts, administration, became Head Surgeons of General 1797). Hospitals. Para. 61.?" Surgeon Mr. Andrew Williams permitted to return to his Rank as Senior Surgeon. He is to take his Under the Cornwallis of the regulations 1788, Seat as President at the Medical Board, on the first vacancy title of Physician-General was abolished (to be after his arrival, meanwhile to be employed wherever an revived some half century and the Senior opportunity shall offer." later), Para. 67.?" Senior Surgeon Mr. Andrew Williams has Member of the Board called the President. simply leave to remain till next season." Ellis resigned on 24th December 1789, and died on board the Burbidge on his way home. Taking warning, however, by the fate of his and both of whom Campbell soon tired of being in England, and predecessors, Ellis Campbell, had died in Williams never returned to two^ years after he left India was on his way out harness, A from dated 27th India to take up the ^ letter Court, January appointment. the Orme 1785, in para. 23 notes that permission to return Among manuscripts (Orme, Various, was to are memo- given him (Abstracts, Despatches to Bengal, Vol. 197, pages 13 18), preserved two v?l. I, 1753-1785). rials, undated, but from their contents written not earlier than 1774, from James Ellis, to return to his setting gt'aCossimbazar, from whence he Enemy appear'd again seemingly Determin'd to attack us in their turn. Their foot with their the detachment to the joined proceeding Midnapur, against drawn Advanc'd towards to the Phousdar of that under Martin White Seapoys Regularly up. us, province(2) Major Fort?while their Horse wheel'd round thro' to in 1760. This campaign was active and sharp, and ye jungle January Attack our Rear?which, was Prevented all the the conduct of your memorialist was to the com- by Seapoys satisfying Round to meet them on other side of the fort. mander, on whose recommendation without the previous Marching ye A few Rounds from our Guns soon dispers'd the foot?but knowledge of your memorialist, Governor Vansittart gave the Horse remain'd firm?but did not advance to do any him an Commission, which your memorialist, by Ensign's hurt. Just at this time York's Gun was the rules, on his return to Calcutta in Majr. evening Company's resigned heard?when the whole of the Horse the foot and December, and was then appointed by Governor Vansittart join'd went York had heard ye Commencement of our a full after which he was sent to serve with the off?Majr. Surgeon, Cannonade?and had the account, of our marh'd Detachment stationed in the districts under the having Midnapur off for struck his tents and March'd command of Knox, with which he remained two years, Kishnagur. Immediately Major from Beerboon to our Assistance. The Harcarrahs from him and with it to join Major Adams marching with proceeded came with advice that he should join us early in the Morning the army against Cossim Ally Khan, and served through the ?and it was so, or we might have been distress'd, campaign until the entire defeat of Cossim Ally Caun(3) at Lucky tho' in a very good Station. The Old Mud Fort'?We had Sooty, when your memorialist proceeded with the detach- very little Ammunition left'?nor any Provisions, Liquors, ment sent against the enemy's horse under M. T. C.(4) in the or Cloths. But a few Bags of Rice were Pick'd up in their Carrickpoor(5) Jungles. This expedition having succeeded, Bazar?which was Litterally what we, as well as ye men had your memorialist served through the Siege of Monghyr under to eat'?untill we were furnish'd Majr. Knox, which Major Adams covered with the army. by York-?Majr. Major York's near'200 Europeans, Guns and Seapoys in After the reduction of this place, your memorialist (took Party?was were order'd after ye Rajah of charge of the General Hospital which was established there Proportion?We Immediately, Burdwan, who had retir'd to some of his strongholds in the and had in consequence of the several actions 400 preceding From whence we drove him?A few after we under his care. From ho then proceeded Jungles. days Europeans Monghyr return'd to our Station at Suree, where we Remain'd till the with the After the of Patna your memo- Army).(G) taking rains sett in?When we were Order'd to Burdwan?Where we rialist was ordered to the army, and continued with it rejoin found Mr. Chief of the After our Return in the field until (7) when he was recalled to Calcutta to Sumner, province. to Suree White me with a Commission in the succeed to the office of First Surgeon on the Bengal Establish- Majr. presented from Mr. Vansittart, and shew'd me his letter to him. ment, in which station of no little trust and concern Your Army him, I could not hold both Employments, after Memorialist continued 9 years until the year 1773. Your Informing my Return to the which was in 9bre . (60). Memorialist on no other occasion than the present could be Presidency, When at the Intreaties of my Friends?after doing induced to say that he flatters himself, his conduct during Duty in the Garrison for some I these 15 whether as an Officer and in Services of time, Resign'd my Commission, years in of Mr. Vansittart's me a full the in the Line of his all its stages, consequence appointing field, profession through to and to Knox's at in the character of a Citizen and an Inhabitant of the Surgeon ye Army, join Majr. Party Colony, in Districts?Where we remain'd met with the of all the Gentlemen under whom Jellipore ye Midnapore approbation untill the took the Field Cossim Kawn he had the honour to serve, or with whom to be connected, Army against Ally in Under the of Adams?When I was and that his character will be vouched to General (03) Commands Major Inquiry, by Senior after the Affaire of the Calliaud, Mr. Sumner, Mr. Verelst, Cartier, General R. Smith, Surgeon, Sooty-?and taking the Works at Woodah Nullah. Before our arrival at Mon- General Sir R. B.(8) Laurel,(9) Lushington, Vansittart. gheer?Majr. Knox was order'd with ye greatest part of of two three Pounders to Dis- SECOND, OR RIGHT HAND, MEMORIAL. two Battalions Seapoys?and perse a Large Body of Mogul horse, under the Command of I James Ellis went out as Assistant Surgeon to India Mahommed Tuckey Kawn, in the Carrickpore Jungles? in the year 1758, and arrived at Calcutta just before the he Desir'd I might be order'd on the expedition but Before Dutch troubles?in 9bre (59)?from whence 1 was order'd to we March'd off our Ground. The Majr. was taken ill?and Cossimbazar?where I Remained only a few months, whence Capt. Wm. Smith was Order'd to the Command?we effected I was order'd to Calcutta to join the Detachment, then the orders by a very long Marche of 8 hours and by attacking under orders to proceed to Midnapore, against Missery Kawn, them by Surprize?it fully answer'd every Purport of Phousdar of that Province, under the Command of Majr. Majr. Adams. As the siege of Mongheer could not well be Martin White in January (60). From thence we march'd to carried on, while so large a body of good horse were in our Burdwan?that Rajah being join'd by Missery Kawn?both Rear. On our Return to yo camp?then in sight of ye Fort. Retreated?after a defeat?to ye Jungles and Kishnagur in Majr. Knox was Order'd to ye Command of ye Siege of the Beerboon Province?but Reciev'd Orders to halt at that Place. Where I was appointed-?and acted on this Suree the Entrance of ye Jungles, which leads to Beerboon? occasion,as well as on all Others when I could be of Service? where we Remain'd some time. The Junction of Shubut to many Gentlemen I can appeal, who were on ye Spot and with the Burdwan and Midnapore Rajah's, Elated them so are now here?after the Reduction of this Place. Majr. Adams much?and with an addition of 9 Guns, workedby Europeans order'd me to the charge of the General Hospital form'd at ?that our Camp was Disturb'd daily by some of their horse. Mongheer, our Sick and Wounded were near 400. The Re- Kishnagur was not above 8 coss from us?which determin'd covery of the Major. Part of these men?it was Remov'd Majr. White to attack them?which was done even without after the taking of Patna-?to that place?from whence, I the consent of Majr. York, under whose Orders we were-? again rejoin'd ye Army, and Remain'd untill I was recall'd We march'd off our Ground with our whole detachment, to ye Presidency to succeed to ye Appointment of first consisting only of 60 Europeans, about 400 Seapoys, and two Surgeon in July (65) where I remain'd untill I Quitted India six-Pounders?and Encamp'd in the evening within 2 coss of in March (74), Jan., 1914.J FIELD AMBULANCES ON THE NORTH-EAST FRONTIER.

References.

(1) The war with the Dutch in 1759, including the battle of Biderra fought on 25th November 1759. (2) Misri Khan. (3) The spellings Khan and Caun are as the original. (4) Aluhammed Taki Khan. (5) Kliarakpur or Khargpur, in Monghir district. (6) Words in brackets struck out in original. (7) Date left blank in original. (8) Sir Robert Barker. (9) This name is hard to read, it looks like Laurel, but I know of no man of prominence in Bengal of that name.