HONORABLE MENTION
MOTTO: "The mind has no right to build itself up at the expense of the body; it is no more justifiable in abandoning itself without restraint to its cravings, than the body in yielding itself to sensual indulgence."—DR. W. MATTHEWS.
Under the title this essay is submitted for the purpose of placing it in a light that it may be viewed by the whole service from a point which has, to my knowledge, been singularly overlooked—or escaped attention. After a careful search in the PROCEEDINGS of this Institute, or, in fact, any present or past naval literature, I have failed to find a paper that treats the subject from a military-medical standpoint.
It is with the gravest feelings of apprehension that I present my views, conscious that they can only be clearly understood by the reader by candid, open statements on the part of the writer. To render justice to my subject, freedom of opinion and expression must be granted the essayist. I admit I shrank from the subject when I felt that frankness of opinion and expression might, seemingly, sound like censure or fault-finding over the opinion and decisions of those higher in authority, with longer experience, greater knowledge, and broader views. I was impelled, and flattered, perhaps, with the feeling, egotistical though it may sound, that it was my duty to the country and the service to give my accumulated thoughts of many years upon the subject to my brother-officers and shipmates in the navy.
When one considers the vast amount of money already expended in the naval establishment, and the large yearly appropriation for its maintenance, we naturally ask, For what is all this? The answer is simple: it is for specific purpose only; it is a special provision for the maintenance of our national existence, for the preservation of our position in the world, for the protection of our people's lives, for the defense of their homes, their rights, and their liberties. It is for the purpose of assisting the nation in maintaining the civilization of the world and progressively elevating it to a higher intellectual plane, and bringing the nobler attributes of being, nearer in keeping with the divine laws that man inherits from the Almighty. It is one arm of the political body which constitutes the nation; its functions are limited, but must act in unison with every other part of the whole; and, with the army, forms the military, fighting or physical element. Its life and operation are controlled and directed by the intellectual parts comprising the legislative executive and judicial. These we serve, and, with the financial, educational, agricultural and commercial, give strength to this tripod upon which our country and government are built.
We may compare, roughly, the national to the human body, consisting of two fundamental requirements: brain and brawn. We belong to the brawn, or the fighting, portion of the nation; of which we are one of the arms, and which we are to consider. Our movements, maintenance, and actions are controlled by the brain, and, in return, protect the brain part from injury, by a stalwart defense, from any source or direction, that may menace in any way our national life. This is a crude, but apt, illustration of the navy's duty in the work of our political life.
For convenience sake I have used brawn, to separate the military from the civic body. In other words, the fighting in contradistinction to the peaceful element. Now, it is self-evident that no duty or function can be properly performed if not properly directed. Brain and brawn must be carefully proportioned to answer demands upon either; if this proportion or combination be not maintained, the result will be a failure. Intellectual strength, or physical force, alone will not do for a national existence; the removal of either will result in failure. A careful study of history will prove that such is the case. You will interrupt right here by confronting me with that majestic ideal, arbitration. Arbitration, I admit, is still the goal we are seeking to gain; it is in sight, but still far off; let us pray that our pace toward it may be quickened. In our journey toward it we must not throw down our warlike equipments to move the more quickly, as there is still savage territory to be traversed; and intellectual rewards and divine hopes have not been evenly distributed through the civilized nations of the world, and the science of politics varies greatly in its application among the various nations. Holding this view, I must dismiss arbitration from the discussion, and assume that such does not exist.
The history of Sparta teaches us one side of the question: that the single idea of Brawn as the dominant power will not produce stability, advancement, or secure endurance of a government. By neglecting the intellectual portions, she became a stationary and degraded nation. A false idea led to her downfall; she never saw beyond physical development, courage, and simple tactics.
Athens, on the other hand, demonstrated the other extreme: her wonderful intellectual powers elevated every art and science. She studied war and raised that into a science; her brain power dominated the physical features; she theorized and made improvements, and brought the intellectual character of the art of war to a high plane, but she did not practice her theories—and fell, through intellectual strength and physical weakness.
Alexander and Napoleon were wonderful warriors, but poor statesmen. Their lives and exploits were brilliant; they have left us wonderful lessons, worthy of the deepest study, but their politics were not stable. Genius is an ephemeral product never lasting. Extremes are valuable as they enable us to secure the golden mean, the most valuable unit in the field of measurement, which is the greatest single factor in science to-day.
If we study the history of the navy from its birth to the present time, we will find that it has fluctuated very markedly in its quality; it is not so easy to trace its faults or blunders as its successes. It is a difficult and humiliating task to confess one's faults; it requires a peculiar quality and amount of mental courage for one to openly proclaim to the world one's weakness, to acknowledge one's blunders, or to admit one is not such a paragon as the world stamps him. In a large body this individual characteristic of concealment is found to exist and generally dominates. Flattery is rarely repelled, though its intent may be fully understood; it is pleasant and, sometimes, harmless—not often beneficial. Encouragement is never amiss. Censure is seldom gracefully received, and rarely admitted as merited. Excuses are magnified and given more thought than any other character of the mind. Success is often due to the blunders of others; when this happens, we never lay bare our mistakes, but rather hide them, and in this we easily secure the support of those who receive the reflected light of commendation. To hide one's weakness from an enemy is a virtue; to keep it from our friends is an error.
It is pathetic to read the history of our naval establishment and the thin, weak-voiced recommendations or opinions of the necessity of a system or school of instruction for our naval officers. Thirty-eight years of repeated recommendations, some feebly made, others strongly put, each successive one either raising or depressing hopes among the few well-wishers, never crushed their endeavors, but often sorely tried them. Such sentences as I would suggest the expediency of providing," "Suggest the importance of establishing," "It is intended as a mere suggestion of a measure deserving consideration." In one recommendation we find the following, "Recommendations have been so uniformly passed by, that it is with reluctance that the subject is again introduced."
It was a bold and memorable step when thirty-nine officers met on the Constitution and drew up a set of resolutions which were endorsed by eighteen others on the Vandalia, in which they set forth the need of a school or course of instruction for officers then in the navy. This petition and resolution came to naught, but it is a pleasure to see recorded names from all branches of the personnel, who saw the deplorable state of affairs, recognized the prevailing ignorance in the service and used their best efforts to improve it.
It was nine years after this meeting, the Academy was founded by the Hon. George Bancroft; and fifty years after the birth of the Navy Department, before we meet with any encouraging outlook for raising the intellectual status of the navy. Before this it was a haphazard affair, hit or miss. The midshipmen were from all walks of life, with meagre education, with no means to improve their minds; they entered at too early an age, which precluded any knowledge beyond the most rudimentary. Their duties and the moral atmosphere in our ships were not conducive to studious habits; so that many of the older officers were ill-fitted, so far as educational qualifications, for the position they held. Up to 1845, there was no law relative to appointments of midshipmen. "The Department appointed whom it pleased, and as many as it pleased, without any law whatever to guide or regulate its judgment." In 1845, it was provided by Congress that midshipmen should be appointed from each State or Territory in proportion to the number of Representatives and Delegates, the appointee being an actual resident of the State from which he was appointed. This was modified in 1852, so that no one could be appointed except on the recommendation of the member of Congress representing the district in which the applicant lived. It is surprising that, up to the founding of the Academy, no intellectual, physical or moral qualifications were demanded; no set course of studies, or length of time. It was a start, however chaotic as it seems now; it was a wonderful advance over the previous fifty years.
No individual deserves the lasting gratitude of the navy more than the Hon. George Bancroft. His was a remarkable achievement in founding this school without legislative enactment: his intellectual inclinations, broad education, and scholarly insight caused its birth, and its interests were so stoutly defended and so ably managed in its infancy as to gradually force recognition and secure a legal status and governmental support through indirect legislation, so that it became an acknowledged national educational institution without a charter. This apparent digression has been necessary for the essayist, in order to start from some tangible point to intelligently support his theme.
The heritage of the navy can only fairly be dated from the foundation of the Academy; then only was it that the navy could truly lend a hand in guiding its policy. Previous to this the necessities for improvement were evident enough, but no favorable opportunity offered itself sufficiently backed by authority to make an impression; its officer personnel was a particularly difficult problem; advance was retarded, no doubt, by political appointments and administration pull, which dominated many who would rather sacrifice the service needs to secure government emoluments and personal comfort. Individual power was greater than now, for the absence of law on so many questions made it difficult to urge anything that did not meet the approval of the senior officer. The intellectual or high-minded were few and far between. Individual oppression was easily sustained by individual interpretation of narrow and lax regulations; healthy criticism was suppressed; advice was rarely asked, and seldom followed. Servility was exacted from the men, and civility rare among the officers. Arrogance and dignity were not differentiated. Morality was suppressed. Depravity, licentiousness, intemperance, cruelty, tyranny, and all the lewd attributes of the mind prevailed.
There were many noble men who recognized the laxity and degradation and manfully fought to correct them; their endeavors were never checked, but their number was small and the intelligent leaven of their learning, teaching, and example was slow in imbuing, but it did work, not so freely as they wished, still sufficiently to have greatly influenced the tendency and strengthened the hands of the founder and friends of the present navy.
A study of the first set of regulations governing the school is remarkable, as it shows a markedly keen intellectual discernment of the needs of the naval officer in his future particular calling. It is, also, striking how few changes have been made in the original set; they are the most sagacious, and in spirit are the same to-day. The only question is, have we remained faithful to them? have we kept the intentions and motives true to the direction then pointed out? In the main, I believe we have; but in several particulars I think we have deviated, unintentionally, through force of opinion, or situation, and allowed a perversion of the principles laid down; which, if not checked, will further injure the service. The departure was so slight and at rare intervals at first, that its insidious growth was not noticed until its frequency and scope made it so bold as to attract attention.
Arrogant assumption is often the basis of illegal precedent; the higher the office of the violator, the more danger of its escaping detection, and the more likely that it will be repeated; either intentionally by those personally interested, or unintentionally through ignorance; and not rarely when its illegality is discovered, it is not an easy matter to check it; it is only when an injury is done or an injustice repeated that the question of legality is tested.
We have many examples in our service where violations of justice and law have led to bitter legal fights, which have resulted in strong personal feelings and lasting enmity, even after decision has been rendered.
It is annoying to be called down from a self-built pedestal of assumed power, but it should not cause a shadow of resentment when one is reminded of his unintentionally overstepping the law and recalled within its boundaries, which is made for every one—exempting none.
If we examine the original plans for the naval school, we find' the 6th paragraph reads, "Every applicant for admission to the school must be of good moral character, not less than thirteen, nor more than sixteen, years of age, and must be examined by the, surgeon of the institution to ascertain if he be free from all deformity, deafness, nearness or other defects of sight, or disease or infirmity of any kind which would disqualify him from performing the active and arduous duties of sea-life. He must be able to read* and write well and be familiar with geography and arithmetic. The Academic Board will examine him on these branches, and certify to his capacity for admission into the school." Here we find the three essential requirements of candidates for any school, but especially for a naval or military academy, as it demands brawn, brain, and the guiding spirit—the moral—which gives, that grace and dignity to the body and mind, making their beauty approach nearer the transcendency of their Maker. These are so dependent upon one another, that any naval officer will fait in his duties if he does not possess them in fair proportions. This regulation was far-reaching and sagacious, and looked beyond the scholastic life, as shown in the words, "the active and arduous duties of a sea-life." The justness of these requirements needs no argument, but lest they be neglected, it was made imperative by legislative action (see Section 1515, Rev. Stat.); and further strengthened by repeating it in a subsequent statute originally: intended to provide for a different matter (see Section 1516,. Rev. Stat.). Through a non-specific statement, regarding the eligibility after the lapsing of Congressional appointments, we find that the physical standard of the candidate is emphatically strengthened. We find still another statute of great importance— Section 1519—which, no doubt, grew out of the attempt of the Secretary to set aside the findings of the Academic Board. It reads, "Naval cadets found deficient at any examination shall not be continued at the Academy or in the services unless upon the recommendation of the Academic Board." (A foot-note is found that reads, "Leave no right in the Secretary of the Navy to continue at the Academy cadets who have been found, at any examination, deficient in their studies, without the recommendation of the Academic Board.")
In the original plans and in the statutes I have quoted, there is one factor that is repeatedly mentioned, and this, I find, is printed in every circular sent out regarding not only the midshipmen, but officers appointed from civil life; warrant officers and every sailor or person admitted into the naval service. In fact, it embraces the entire personnel; and that is the physical qualification. This is eminently proper, for I hold that the first requisite is Brawn; by which I mean a healthy, robust body, or normal physical condition. The demands of the service are of such nature that merely a normal body does not fill the requirements. "Good health is the basis of all physical, intellectual, moral, and spiritual development."
The navy, as I defined it, was for a specific purpose, in which the fighting quality is the first requisite.
The object of the physical examination is for the purpose of securing physical conditions of a certain standard. A very small man may be normal so far as health and function are concerned, but he would be unsuited for our purpose. On the other hand, a very large man might be anatomically perfect in build, but practically unsuited for the naval service through hereditary disease; or his physical development and functions perfect, but his mental state or morals render him unsuited for the service. An intellectual giant with illy-developed body would be equally unsuitable. We cannot indulge in extremes of any kind; it is the mean we seek and should constantly strive to secure. We cannot deal in averages or percental deductions; they are valuable statistics and guides, but are not yet of value for practical naval purposes. We want the body to stand the wear and tear of naval demands: "the hand that executes what the brain conceives." These functions to work in unison and to the best advantage. Wainwright says: "The best tactics have failed, at times, to win success, because of a change of circumstances or because of faulty instruments. And at times, hard fighting has prevented failures that were earned by faulty tactics." The former is an apt illustration of brain unable to win through lack of brawn—the latter, brawn winning over brain.
It may be assumed that the qualities we seek in making officers for the navy can only be obtained by beginning at the foundation,—which is the Academy. The first step required is the physical examination; here we select the material from which the officers' personnel is to be supplied, and it is here the most careful selection must be made, the closest scrutiny, the most carefully considered points are to be conscientiously weighed and viewed from many sides. The slightest physical defects in the candidate demand careful investigation and thought; chances should not be taken, neither should possibilities be considered nor an unfavorable probability be allowed to sway our judgment in favor of the candidate. We must never lose sight that we are dealing with an immature mass of living matter, a growing youth at a critical point in his life, a transition period; the country is awaiting our decision as to whether he is fitted to enter on a moulding or training period of four years to fit him for those peculiar, varied, and arduous duties that are to control him in the future active work that will be given him.
The writer does not know how it impresses others than the military surgeon, but he knows of no duty in which one's professional conscience could be more severely tested than in the examination of candidates for military purposes, and particularly the Academy.
A personal experience, of 29 years, with officers who have gone through this school, professional knowledge of their ills and injuries, their physical defects, their mental weakness, their moral failings—all the accumulated observations of my naval experience impel me to endeavor to impress upon you the importance of this first step and the necessity of seeing that your scholastic officer is as the statute demands, "morally, physically, and mentally qualified for admission."
Let us take a momentary glance at the field covered by physical conditions: Life is but a continuous journey in one direction without a halt; it is always toward death; and although its rate of movement varies, still it never ceases but moves toward the one goal. During the whole life of a being, there is unceasing change; we can have no change without an expenditure of energy in the living body, this is vital force; so that every manifestation of life is but an exhibition of power. Our body is but a living machine composed of wonderful and delicate parts, each dependent upon the other in the work required; it matters not whether it be tissues, bone, or organs—it is for work. Life has beeen expressed as "a state of dynamical equilibrium." But the vital force varies in growth and development, decline and decay, so that, strictly speaking, there is never perfect equilibrium, though we use it in argument.
It is plain that any vital organs or tissues which do work must sooner or later wear out, if not constantly supplied with nourishment. At certain periods of existence, the relation between waste and repair is different. In early life the increment must be greater than the loss, or there would be no growth; the reconstructed must be better than it was before, or we would not have healthy development. In the decline of life, this renewal is less than the destruction, or waste; then we find degeneration. We must, also, ever bear in mind that in the young the waste cannot exceed the supply without injury; if pushed beyond this, degeneration sets in. This dependence of vital power, or force, and supply, and its bearing on the management of the immatured body is, perhaps, well-known; but how few thoroughly grasp its meaning. Even those who know it, neglect its teachings in dealing with the educational training of our youth. Is it not our duty to give to succeeding generations sound bodies as well as intellectual minds if we wish to secure a successful and stable government? Let us apply this knowledge in our physical summing- up of the embryo naval officer.
I will quote in part an opinion of Captain Mahan relative to applicants: "A simple educational test was of no great value in discriminating between applicants; and that good health, wholesomeness and, where they can be ascertained, indications of pluck, perseverance, taking the lead in a manly, not a vicious, way among equals in age, were of more worth than intellectual forwardness, as showing the stuff of which a good officer could be made." He dwells upon the physical make-up. Relative to the mental stand-point which is so apt to blind us to physical defects he says, "nevertheless the instructor, like other men, tends to magnify his office and to mistake mental acquirements, which are simply means to an end." Here we have the opinion of one whose mature thoughts have been acquired through nearly a half-century of study and observation, and they cannot be lightly passed by; for so eminent an authority on naval affairs is not likely to put thoughts on paper without the most careful consideration. So I make bold to use his opinion to support my argument.
About ten years ago, Dr. W. T. Porter, after careful investigation, stated that precocious children were heavier than the dull ones. Investigation since, though not so full or exhaustive as we would wish, sustains this idea; in fact, we may go a step further and say that the physical and mental development go hand in hand through life. This should be our guide in the selecting of applicants for the Academy.
One great defect that has existed, and continues to exist at the present moment, is the lack of a proper standard for the admission of cadets. "Physical soundness" is a vague condition in some respects and leaves open many questions that are of the greatest importance; such as weight for age, weight for height, height for age, chest measure for age. The limits, as now given, are too broad and not finely enough adjusted. There is, unfortunately, no law regarding these factors, which are of the greatest importance in measuring the physical qualifications of the candidate. The circulars sent out by the Department have varied, and none of them were based on a careful study of the subject in its ultimate bearing on the needs of the service; and I do not hesitate to say that the matter to-day is in a most unsatisfactory state, and gradually growing worse. It seems to me that it is imperatively demanded that the whole subject of physical requirements be thoughtfully considered by a board of officers, carefully selected from the medical and line officers of the navy, to study the matter in all its bearings, and from their report a standard fixed which, after careful consideration by higher authority, should be 'adopted and made binding by legislative enactment.
As the law now stands, only the age limit—(16 years the minimum, 20 the maximum, to take effect January, 1904), and a physical examination are specified. Sec. 1515 R. S., July, 1862 and April, 1866—seems to give the Secretary of Navy the authority to change the examinations at any time. I admit I am not sufficiently versed in the law to interpret just what this does mean; but subsequent legislation seems to limit his power to the course of study, as the physical examination is still insisted upon, and in one statute which has only been modified in regard to age limit, it strengthens the others by using the words, "physically sound, well-formed, and of robust constitution." We find in the regulations governing the admission of candidates—March, 1903, the following which are, no doubt, issued by the Secretary of the Navy. Here is a set of requirements that should, apparently surely satisfy the most exacting physical examiner; and there are but few criticisms or suggestions that can be made to this list. The fixing of the minimum height at five feet, and the failure to give the ratio between these factors, I have already mentioned. One might argue that those are provided for in the 2nd condition: "Retarded development," or in first sentence of the last paragraph—"Attention will also be paid to the stature of the candidate and no one manifestly under-sized for his age will be received at the Academy." Or the 2nd sentence: "In the case of doubt about the physical condition of the candidate, any marked deviation from the usual standard of height or weight will add materially to the consideration for rejection." The final sentence, it seems to me, emasculates or nullifies the whole—" Five feet will be the minimum height for the candidate."
Under general remarks I find additional advice in paragraph 3: "A sound body and constitution "—" and a correct moral deportment," &c., &c. I am not bold enough to paraphrase these statutes, so leave that for an abler pen; but I am at loss how to reconcile the apparent positiveness of some of them and the actual results that have been attained from their partial application. They seem mandatory in their reading, and I supposed until lately that they were legislative; but I am in grave doubt. It matters not whether my personal opinions be correct regarding them; my primary object is to endeavor to call attention to the effects that their present contradictory interpretation is having on the service.
Captain Goodrich in his essay on "Esprit de Corps" in reply to the question, "What was the fundamental motive that governed England's leaders ?" answers "Loyalty to the Crown." Again he says—" This general rule of conduct will be admitted by officers, without exception, as admirable and exact. It is a truism which none can deny, and to the inert it appears so delightfully vague as to involve no possible risk to comfort and peace of mind. Without question then we all agree to it; but if we do, what follows then? Does it carry no mandate that should control our actions? Such a moral principle once accepted must impose conditions that we are powerless to evade. A little reflection will show that far from being a transcendental speculation of no real effect, it is, or should be, a living fence influencing every official thought and deed. It commands us to be diligent in making ourselves useful servants through painstaking of all that relates to the theory and practice of our profession, and it lays down certain lines along which the discharge of our several duties must proceed, if we would be true to ourselves. "To every individual in the naval profession, no matter what be his position and his representation, there is granted a horizon of labor and effort plainly marked and unmistakable in the sunlight of a patriotism which takes the guise of a sense of duty. In the words of our great and good Farragut: "I will do my duty to the best of my ability, and let the rest take care of itself." For a rule of action, then, the all-sufficient criterion when doubt arises as to what to do under certain conditions, is the good of the service. Whatever militates against that is wrong; whatever makes for it, is right. "The best interests of the whole service are a text that ought to hang on every eye-lid in the navy." If we are guided by such a code we cannot go astray. To the good of the service we are bound by the obligations of a patriotism which it should be our pride to acknowledge as a rule of life, no less imperative now than was the personal loyalty to the sovereign which animated the great sailors of old. If it can be shown that an injury is being done the service, is it not "esprit de corps" that should immediately rouse us to combat it? "The best interests of the service are a text that should be on every eye-lid in the service."
So if I can, in my feeble attempt, show that an injury is being done, then I feel that you will aid in correcting the evil. This I will now attempt to prove.
When the candidate appears for his physical examination, he is closely scrutinized, measured, and his whole body examined to detect any defect or injury, any manifest trouble, and in addition a general summing up of the individual opinions of the members of the board, as to the fitness of the candidate is reached. If the candidate is passed, nothing more is heard, as a rule, regarding him; but this is not always the case, defects often show themselves and are discovered either by the academic officers, or medical relief is sought by the candidate for a trouble that has escaped the medical board. Often these are of a serious nature and give trouble enough; and cases now exist in the service which are still in doubt as to how they can be handled in a fair and legal way.
To be clear, I will cite a few: A candidate, a few days after his physical examination, shows a venereal disease—contracted from exposure prior to the candidate's appearing for his physical examination and which was not manifest; as the period for its development had not arrived. He is sworn in and fully admitted; the candidate, though aware of the exposure, was unconscious of any disease at the time. It seems that this is a case of mixed responsibility. I will not discuss the ethics in the case; I simply give it as one of a number of a similar class.
Another case appears in which a slight impediment in speech is noticed; a further and closer examination reveals no trouble with the organs of vocalization or articulation. He reads, repeats, and answers questions properly; but it is afterwards discovered that unusual demands, or a sudden slight incident, produce such mental excitement as to render him unable to answer questions except with the most painful pauses and facial distortions. It is then shown that the trouble is central, and probably incurable. This is a case of medical error—or at the strongest, delinquency. This manifest defect should not have been passed.
A candidate appears, passes physically and mentally, and is held back a few days for his money-deposit; the day it arrives, he is sworn in although acknowledging at the time, that he is feeling badly; he immediately seeks medical assistance, and is seriously ill. This, to me, seems to be a case of error of the Academic authorities—a humane, praiseworthy error, but an error just the same.
I mention these three classes, as they occupy debatable grounds. The last class I shall speak of is of a different type and is the dangerous element. The candidate is rejected: It may be on one of the numerous defects put down in the list I have quoted, except the equivocal sentence regarding height. The cause is manifest, and the decision is reached after conscientious comparison of the views of the three medical officers constituting the board. Now, from the regulations and statutes I have mentioned, it would seem that the question of the candidate's efficiency or future usefulness would be settled. In some cases it does, but alas! in many cases it does not. Political, or personal, influence is sought and brought to bear; then the trouble begins. I have no doubt, the annoyance and trouble, with the number of people involved caused by the personal interest in a rejected candidate would surprise you, were they made known. I am firmly of the opinion that thoughtless letters and unmerited assistance are often given simply through the desire of the besieged to get rid of his persistent petitioner. The result is in the majority of cases, that the defect is waived, and the candidate is put into the Academy. I will not charge any one with willful violation of the law, knowingly inflicting an injury on his country, intentionally but unlawfully appropriating the money of the people—wasting the legally appropriated money for a specific purpose, jeopardizing the lives of a great many people; or endangering the honor of our flag and country in some future international trouble, by foisting upon the service an unsuitable applicant who may be placed in charge of a part of the fighting force of the navy, at a critical time when victory or defeat would mean everything. These are not immediate fears, you may say; no, I admit they are not; but are we providing only for to-day? are we not to look to the future? are we not to provide for contingencies? What has a puny, illy-developed, sickly or diseased boy to do with the welfare of our country? How can he cause, or in any way be instrumental in bringing about, any of the doleful troubles you have mentioned? I will endeavor to show you how. It could be answered by simply saying, "we are making admirals." If conceded as true that robustness is inseparable from intellectual strength, is it not what we shall seek? We are not in search of intellectual pigmies or physical giants, and must avoid as I stated in the beginning, the extremes, in our demands. We must seek the golden mean. And is it asking too much for us to expect this? Is it too high a standard? Are our people unwilling to support us in this? And have they not a right to complain if the standard is not kept high? What would be said if they thought we were not using every endeavor to keep it up to the highest point that money and intelligence could possibly raise it? The means are put into our hands, and it is our duty to be true to the obligations placed upon us; and it matters not how small the effect for good or evil, we must help the former and repel the latter.
Is it not astonishing how legislators who frame our laws will urge action that is a direct violation of them? Is it not surprising that those who are supposed to see them carried out will thoughtlessly fail to enforce them? Is it not presumption to ask a person to distort or misinterpret his own convictions for personal and selfish ends? And are we not derelict in our duty if we fail to point out misapprehensions to the conscientious, to firmly repel the arrogant, and to strongly rebuke those who cannot differentiate corruption and integrity? All these things are constantly being done; no doubt, in some instances, unintentionally and thoughtlessly. Perhaps a kindly feeling and sympathetic nature will incline one to listen to such appeal, and during this momentary impression a waiver is granted; whereas, a few kind words of explanation pointing out the dangers that such recommendations involve would appeal to the reason of the petitioner and cause a withdrawal of the request. If not, then no consideration should be shown him; and he should be sternly but kindly, rebuked.
What are the actual conditions which we meet in candidates who fail physically? One may be below the height or poorly developed; his eyes are defective; hearing below normal; or his teeth deficient, irregular, and bad. Another's tonsils are enlarged or his nose imperfect; making him a marked mouthbreather. Defective speech, and illy-developed chest, or his lung capacity being below normal, rejects; while others, who are knockkneed, or have weak abdominal muscles, patulous inguinal rings, defective feet, hammer-toes or stiffened tendons, or serious heart trouble; are found physically unfit for the service. These are manifest defects, glaring and dangerous, but they are waived, because they are considered of little moment by those in higher authority. The statutory barriers to protect and conserve a high physical standard for the personnel of the navy are broken down, and the service is inflicted with a defective youth, so far as physical condition is concerned.
In the yearly examinations of those already in, we find defects, or signs of degeneration, that were not manifest, or discovered, at the time of entrance; these cases are rejected by the medical board. Influence, again, is brought to bear, and the findings of the board are cast aside; which causes a further increase of defectives. This continues yearly, slight additions are made to the list of the physically imperfect; and the service is weakened correspondingly.
It is curious to note the rigidity with which one clause is adhered to, and which is not more mandatory than the law governing the other cases; the waiving of which would, in my opinion, involve no danger, but would be of decided advantage—I mean the age limit. This, to my knowledge, has never been waived. None of the defects I have mentioned are hypothetical; they all are actualities. Let us take up the cases cited and carefully point out the consequences that may result from allowing them to enter.
As I look at the matter, the Academy is not to be considered a school for the development of the weak. Its object is to conserve the health and see that normal growth and development are maintained in both body and mind. We are not to limit our view to the boundary of the school, we must consider the service demands that will confront the candidate after he leaves his alma mater. We are taking him as an immature youth, and must not alone measure the physical abilities of his body to sustain the work that is expected of him during the four years course at the Academy; we must allow for the development in his actual growth to secure a healthy manhood. Equilibrium will not suffice; the renewal of tissue must be greater than the replacement, or development ceases, and the youth remains stationary; it is a retarded or checked growth and means that early decay must follow or, at best, a degraded physical state maintained. It is here we are so often misled through the confounding of the mere preservation of the individual and the, at that time, status, concurrent waste and repair with the essential nature of vitality. We cannot definitely say when development ends and decline begins, but we can see approximately when it is taking place; and we know that in the weak or slowly developed that the decline, when once started is rapidly followed by degeneration.
Physical conditions and relations are of the utmost importance, as age, weight, height, chest-measure; all deserve the most careful comparison. Age is the standard from which we must measure the other factors. It will not do to be misled by promises or possibilities. We must not depend upon the dormant vitality, which is required for special use and to give elasticity to our constitution; this wise provision is to conserve our forces and should never be called into play in the growing youth. Inherent power and individual endowment must be considered. The resisting powers can only be judged by the physical; it is logical to assume that the strong have more endurance than the feeble. These are certain facts that can guide us and which have been proven by the statistics furnished at this Academy and so carefully worked by Dr. Beyer of our service. Development and growth from year to year are anything but uniform and regular.
To save time I will not give any table but will state results which bear upon our argument. Growth in height practically ends at 18 years; after that if increase takes place it is very slow. The greatest development in height is between the ages of 15 and 16, and then continues up to 18. Short boys grow more rapidly than tall ones, but their growth ceases about the same time—at 18 years; the increase in four years is for tall boys, 2 inches; medium boys, 3.3; short boys 4.2 inches. The chest reaches its maximum size practically at 19. The lung capacity at about the same time.
Another singular feature about development of the candidate is the eyes: they show a positive increase up to between 19 and 20 years. In the normally constructed healthy eye this shows that the course of study is not injurious; but deterioration begins after entering the naval service. This is a most important fact to bear in mind, and is of the greatest value in estimating the physical future of the candidate.
The acuteness of the hearing grows perceptibly less; which fact should constantly be kept in mind. The condition of the teeth, unfortunately, has not been carefully studied until within the past few years; still I hope to point out their important bearing upon the subject of physical fitness. We know that good teeth indicate good health, and marked deterioration of the teeth must mean degeneration. I hope I have mentioned enough about ontogenesis of the cadet, to enable you to appreciate the necessity of carefully weighing the various defects and the dangers that lurk behind them.
I am fully aware of the delicacy of the direct discussion I am about to enter upon; but I repudiate any personal reflections. No one can properly and forcibly put the subject before you unless he be allowed untrammeled permission to draw from authentic sources facts, to support his premises.
I earnestly invite your attention to a rapid consideration of the far-reaching injury that is likely to follow the passing of physical defects in a candidate, not only during his academic course but after he enters the service. I will be as brief and untechnical as compatible with the non-professional mind, in making clear the future dangers of these, apparently, trivial defects upon the individual, the service, and the country at large.
The present requirement for height with age is too low; for, if the records of the Academy are of any value, they prove that we cannot expect but the fractional part of an inch increase in height after the age of 18 years. To insure a mean height in our naval officer, it would be well to have a law passed fixing a standard in height of 5 feet 6 inches, which must be reached at the time of graduating; and such a law would insure a higher type of officer. At present too much risk is assumed on possibilities. Some extreme case is quoted of phenomenal growth having occurred in one or two years, and this exceptional case is the excuse which has opened the door, and the short, illy-developed youth is taken in with a vague hope that the regular life and systematic training will, in violation of all physiological laws, produce the wished-for results.
It is sophistry to argue in favor of a small man for military purposes, particularly an officer; he cannot have a military personality, no matter what his intellectual attainments. This is admitted the world over, and is carefully considered by military nations in the selections of their officers. Enlisted men generally judge an officer by his outward appearance. It can be set down as a principle that a small man is rarely a successful officer. There are noble exceptions to this, but they are not to be taken as types.
The natives of our country are large men. An examination of 315,620 native-born Americans gives a mean height of 67.672 inches, with a mean chest measure of 33.418 inches. Are we asking too much to fix the standard of minimum height for the graduate at 5 feet 6 inches, when the mean for our people is 5 feet 7 3-4 inches?
The chest is of great importance not only in size but mobility. I cannot enter into a full expose of all its bearings upon the body, but will say that great mobility of chest is a good measure of vital power; and that every one at graduation should have a mobility of at least three inches—and the chest measure should be, at least, 35 inches. A slightly mobile chest is a strong indication of non-resisting power, tending to lung disease.
The question of weight is, also, important: the paper will not admit of a full discussion of the subject as it varies in different ages, but I would make the weight be, per inch of height, at least 2 lbs. at the time of graduation. Obesity cannot be fully discussed, but I will simply state that marked tendency to flesh in the young, matured, man is an indication of a diseased condition; not more than 2 1-2 lbs., per inch, in height should be permitted in any graduate.
Vision is a subject that is treated in the lightest manner; this carelessness I can only account for from the prevalence of glasses that all meet with in civil life, which evidently impresses those who grant the waiving of these defects in the same manner it does the civilian and, I may add, many of our specialists lend their aid by submitting letters in behalf of the candidate that are likely to mislead through their diplomatic wording and make one think the matter is not serious. A brief examination of this matter shows: Most of the troubles are errors of refraction; the majority of them can be corrected by glasses; none of them can be cured. If spectacles are to be a part of the armament of the embryo naval officer, we should drop the visual requirement from the physical examination. In many of the cases of rejection we find the defect is progressive; still they are continued in the service. After a few weeks' use of the eyes in the course of book study, complaint is made and the eyes are found unable to stand the strain; glasses are used surreptitiously, or through recommendation; which is wrong and should be stopped. Think of the dangers: No man who wears glasses, can be relied upon in
rainy weather; he is untrustworthy in a snow-storm, fog, or
very cold weather, from the blurring of his glasses. A myopic
(near sighted) man can not see land, a ship, or buoy; detect defects
in ship or gun-gear, or dirty or slovenly men; see signals,
sight his gun; read charts, or take bearings in a quick and positive
way. The mistaking a 3 for a 5 or 8 in reading a fine print
chart may wreck a ship; failing to see a vessel when she is visible
to the normal eye may sink himself and another ship and cause
a terrible loss of life. In battle, he cannot properly aim his gun because of inability to adjust the gun-sights or wind-gauge, through the deposit on his glasses of the gases from the explosion. Long vigils on dark nights, thick weather, sun-glare, and many other conditions that must be met with, daily, hourly, weekly—in fact, constantly on every ship in the service, make him unreliable. At a critical time these defective eyes may give out, the possessor seeks medical aid, and the ship is deprived of one officer. Such a man is a constant menace to the welfare of the service.
Defective hearing is still another trouble that is constantly waived. Unfortunately, few cases of defective hearing can be cured; at best, we can arrest their progress by constant attention. They are progressive, as a rule, and grow worse in face of the facts; but little heed is paid to this important sense. The chances are, in the service, that the normal ear will receive injury. What right, then, have we to expect a diseased ear to improve? The necessities of normal hearing, are so apparent to me, from my experience and observation in the service, that, to say the least, I am astonished when I even hear an intimation of an attempt being made to have the defect waived. The necessity of promptness in obeying orders depends upon the hearing; if this is defective, see what calamities may occur. At the present day when orders, or messages, are transmitted by mouth, telephone, bell, bugle, gun—all varying in volume or intensity, given amid noise and commotion, of action or manoeuvre, how necessary it is to have normal hearing. The failure to hear a fog signal; a bell or whistling buoy; not to get an order correctly, or fail to catch a sound, through defective hearing, may cause the loss of a ship, lead to defeat, and innumerable disasters. Are we justified in knowingly assuming such risks? Can we offer any excuse for inviting such danger? And is it "Esprit de Corps" to allow these menaces and injuries to continue? Nothing, I say, can sustain us in allowing such defects to continue, and I submit it to the well-wishers of the service for an opinion.
The mouth with its appendages, particularly the teeth, is almost overlooked. The triumphs of dentistry are used as an excuse to foist upon the service some of the most unworthy candidates from a physical standpoint. As in the case of the specialist on the eye and ear, many dentists who devote their time to oral surgery, justly proud of their work, see possibilities and, in a broad sense, do wonders; but forget that a special class like the military branches, liable to be distant from their post for long periods, should not be included with the civilian class. They like other specialists, "though working in the interest of the individual may, in the long run, serve an evil purpose in society." This we find to be the case in the naval service. A carious condition of the teeth is a just cause of rejection; if extensive in the young, it is a sign of degeneracy; one should properly masticate the food, and if this is not done a depressed state of the system must follow; the digestion is interfered with, impaired general health, inability to triturate the food from the lack of teeth causes the remaining sound teeth to soon decay. It is useless to accept such a case. I will cite one of the many cases: the record of one midshipman in the Academy who had 36 days on the sick list, 31 of which were directly traced to defective teeth. Aside from the wsthetic effect, the part the teeth play in clear articulation so essential to an officer is another factor. An examination of the carefully charted records of the midshipmen now in this institution would convince the most obtuse of the gravity of this defect. It is unfair to expect that the whole field of dental work should be undertaken here; the future is what we are to consider; we must look beyond the limits of this school. I speak from professional observation. The neuralgias and toothaches, the hopeless attempts to relieve suffering without sacrificing a tooth, at sea, have confronted me so many times that I have conscientiously combated the admission of any one with marked caries into the service, and have endeavored to my utmost to induce men to attend to their teeth. No man suffering with toothache can attend to his duties properly. The sick days due to troubles of the teeth would startle one if mentioned. It can be accepted as true that, "soundness of teeth is in itself one of the evidences of general soundness of body."
Difficulty of speech is another trouble; some are amenable to treatment and are cured; but when a central chronic case occurs in a subject of marked neurotic temperament, in which the least excitement will render him speechless for many seconds when the loss of a few seconds in giving an order may cause disaster—such cases should admit of no hesitation in refusing admittance. Still, these defects are waived.
Heart trouble should be mentioned—without comment, its hopelessness should suffice. As this grave defect is repeatedly waived, I feel that I must make a few comments to have it checked; and will dismiss it with as few words as possible. Heart disease cannot be cured, though it can be held in check with constant systematic care. Knowing the active exercise and exertion constantly demanded in the varied drills, running aloft in sail drill, light artillery, boat pulling, infantry tactics, fencing and gymnastics, it is astounding that political and personal friends, even medical men, and the parents will combine to have this incurable disease set aside, and allow the candidate to enter. I have wondered and pondered over this and tried to excuse these terrible blunders on the score of gross ignorance of the actual state of affairs. I cannot conceive of any parent or true friend who would, willingly, shorten anyone's life, or intentionally inflict suffering upon him. Yet, this is done constantly. To say the least, it is a serious reflection upon the opinions of the medical board to have their findings set aside on some civil practitioner's carefully worded letter, in which he skillfully avoids a positive opinion that the heart is sound, but shields himself behind such indefinite expressions as "a very slight murmur is noticed," "probably functional," or "the irregular action is one common with neurasthenic patients," or "the compensation is good"—I am willing to admit that they know nothing of the demands that are to be made upon that heart, and that their opinions are based on the experiences with people in civil occupations who can choose their vocations. These guarded, professional letters lead on friends, relatives, and parents to allow the candidate to enter the service; and they are dropped before their academic course is finished, physical wrecks through misguided advice. I plead with you all to stop this terrible injustice, not only for the good of the service, but for the cause of humanity. I shall never, knowingly, sign a paper, without protest, that will admit a youth with heart trouble to the naval service.
There are other defects that are of equal importance, but their numbers are few and can, occasionally, be remedied by a surgical operation; but until this is done, the candidate should not be accepted; (but) as it is a question of individual opinions, and the degree of the defect varies, some are passed on the supposition that it has reached the maximum and will remain stationary. I refer now to varicocele and varicose veins, and hammer- toes. Varicocele, if slight at the age of 18 years, is not liable to increase; but even then, the candidate, if accepted Without operation, should be taken on probation—for it is generally a sign of weakness. Hammer-toes are caused—as a rule—by ill-fitting shoes, and youthful vanities; if no over-riding, ingrowing nails, or corns, exist with them and the gait is not affected, the candidate can be accepted on probation in these conditions; if the tendons of flexion or extension are not good, rejection should follow. For we must not forget the marching, walking on deck, and long standing on the feet that will be required of the candidate not only during his scholastic training, but after he enters into active service.
Under the head of poor development we must include the numerous single defects, each one of value when considered with the others, the sum of which is sufficient to make the candidate unfit for the service.
An example will best illustrate: Face contracted, but regular; nose with but little mobility; irregular but sound teeth, but a number unerupted; a mouth-breather; chest slightly irregular, breathing shallow, circulation fair; no abnormal sounds; flabby muscles; genital organs markedly developed; stoop-shouldered, with a very slight curvature; feeble in muscular strength as shown by a squeeze, pull, and lift. His intelligence is very good, no manifest trouble can be found, but his whole physical make-up is unsatisfactory; no one thing would be sufficient to reject. The question is, what is to be done? You may say, he is in the balance and just levels it. I advise, reject. We must give the service the benefit of the doubt. It is here we again meet with difficulty.
Poor physical development opens such a wide field of possibilities for the good or the bad; and it is always possibilities for the good that the friends of the candidate argue to overcome the rejection.
Far be it from me to degrade the science of modern medicine in any of its branches, or discourage any attempt to strengthen or improve the physical condition of my fellow-man. It is the medical man's duty to use every faculty of his mind to encourage the weak, to relieve suffering, and conserve health; to strengthen and develop to the best of his ability any, and every, part of the body that falls short of a normal standard. This we do, but in a special department like the navy, and for a specific purpose, fighting, we must use every endeavor to secure a certain type of youth—one possessing an equal admixture of Brain and Brawn—and starting with material we do our best to preserve and develop these two elements to secure a fighting man for the naval service.
As I take it, the Academy is not an institution for the development of the weak and puny. If I am right in my surmise, then it resolves itself into whether the government is to assume the doubt? The regular and systematic life at the Academy is very different from what is met with in the service. Our officers are expected to work under all conditions of peace or war; irregularities and privations are liable to confront them at any moment, from the arctics to the tropics, on deck, in engine room, or ashore; from dry to rainy climates, in healthful and unhealthful places, with broken rest, long tours of duty, with unsatisfactory food taken at odd times. These conditions are likely to happen at any time and are a severe strain on the constitution; a strong body is required; endurance, pluck, strength in every way. Courage and determination are inherent traits; they cannot be acquired, but may be assisted; it is difficult to gauge, or judge of, them; so this is a factor we cannot pass upon in a midshipman, but it can and should be noted in his behavior while at the school. In fact these characteristics are of the greatest value and are not taken into consideration at the school or in the advancement of officers when they get into the general service.
If what has been said is true—can we justify ourselves in entrusting such varied and vast interests in the hands of physically imperfect men, if they are defective in any of the organs or bodily appendages I have named? Can weaklings lead the strong through personal example? It is forced upon us that they cannot.
An officer once applied for the command of an expedition that was considered one that would call for great endurance, and possible hardship; he was found physically unfit. In urging his case he said, "Mr. Secretary, I am not going to play the mule on this expedition; I will direct others how to do that."
"Very true, sir," was the answer, "but should you be called upon to play, how would you fill the billet?"
"Poorly."
"Very well, sir, you will not do."
In my career in the service I have seen so many cases, as no doubt the majority of the officers have, of fine specimens of the fair-weather, easy-work seeking officers; how they puff up and tire their diaphragms with bombast, when work is light and watches normal; who shrivel up to their normal puniness when work is hard and watches are few. This lack of moral force we find curiously spread round and equally shared by all corps in the various types of sizes in the service.
A psychic condition difficult to analyze. It would not be seemly to discuss the question beyond the six-year midshipmen. The officers' personnel has been ably, clearly, and freely discussed by numerous essayists from their professional standpoint; so I leave the medico-military study of the officers and will make a rapid examination of the enlisted force.
The efficiency of the enlisted force of the navy begins at the recruiting office. At this point, a few remarks may well be made on the manner in which this duty is looked upon; it does not receive the careful consideration that the importance of the subject deserves. In so many cases, both officers (one line, and one medical) composing the recruiting party are not suited for the work and do not realize the importance of the duty; quantity instead of quality seems to be the incentive; and this is tolerated, I fear, by those in higher authority who want the men, and become impatient if the returns are not large for the outlay of money. From long experience in examining men and their professional care on board ship after, I am convinced that the examination of men requires an experienced medical officer— one who has had duty at sea long enough to know fully the demands that will be made on the man in the service. He must be familiar with the various departments of the ship and know that the firemen and coal-heavers require certain physical features that some other department on the ship would not demand—such as large, mobile chest, regular, slow, strong heart, healthy skin, sound digestion, and good weight. I mention these points, not to dwell upon the question but to illustrate; and will relate my experience with many recruits, that have been accepted within a year by medical officers, who had healthy, though slight chests, rapid hearts, harsh skin, poor teeth and digestion, and were slight in build. Evidently, little thought was used here; or, the medical officer was ignorant of the kind of man required, or the character of the work. Recently, I saw a flattering notice of a recruiting party who enlisted a great number of men in a week; from my experience in examining men I know that, instead of commendation, a few words of reproval were merited by that party; for no officer could properly examine that number of men in the allotted time. Fifteen minutes should be spent on every man after he is stripped; this is the least time that should be allotted to properly record the required data. If less time were spent, then I would say he neglected his duty. If he worked extra hours, he must have been unfitted for two successive days' work of the same kind. I have been on boards of survey on scores of men fresh from the recruiting officer, with the most serious defects—showing the grossest carelessness; no doubt, due to this hurried and reckless habit of examining.
A few examples will demonstrate: men with heart trouble that the mere placing of the hand over the heart would have revealed; almost total blindness in one eye; deafness very marked; a full set of false teeth; partial stiffening of the elbow joint; hernia well-defined; marked stupidity, or rather feeble-mindedness. It is too serious a matter, not only in a monetary loss to the government but the loss of time, through the poor material that is put on our ships. Better a dozen healthy men than fifty ill ones.
Let me very briefly trace what follows these neglects. First a request for survey; report of survey in triplicate; forwarding of these to Navy Department for approval and final disposition; return of papers to the ship. Besides the work entailed, delays of days and weeks may occur; during which time the worthless recruit is entitled to his food and pay; and all due to the misdirected zeal and the saving of a few minutes by the recruiting party. It seems to me the subject is of sufficient importance to cause a reformation of the present method, by selecting men of experience with a well-digested knowledge of the requirements, and a keen sense of the responsibility that is resting upon them in passing a final opinion upon the fitness of recruits. They should keep ever before them the indisputable facts that: "Good health is the basis of all physical, intellectual, moral, and spiritual development;" "Poor ships with healthy crews are preferable to fine ships with sickly ones;" and with these should go the noble standard set by Admiral Cook: "The livery of the United States should be made a badge of character and worth, and the privilege of wearing it considered a great honor." Unless we accept this dictum and nurse and inspire the principle involved, we cannot have that "Esprit de Corps" that is essential to the successful advancement of our navy. These sentiments should dominate in the service; they are free to all; they are the legacies of the healthy mind that our Creator has left equally to all; they belong as indisputably to the youngest apprentice as to the admiral. We should recognize and spread these truths, and impress them upon the whole personnel of the service, and this can only be done through having a high moral character in both officers and men.
The ability to judge of the morals of a man by inspection is a difficult matter; but the brain impression and mind force are reflected on other parts of our body so that some knowledge can be obtained by a study of the appearance and movements of the man, the facial expression, and his replies to questions. If tattooing is on the body it is worthy of consideration; when of a crude and sensual character, or if a nondescript design placed haphazard on the body (especially on the genital organs), it is a very safe opinion that the man is a degenerate. Numerous scars on scalp and face, with maimed ears and long cicatrices from knife-cuts and stabs, indicate depravity—a quarrelsome or dangerous character. Careful observation and long experience alone can impart this knowledge; still, it is well for every naval officer medical and others, to observe these peculiarities in the study of the men composing the crew. It is not surprising that many degenerates succeed in passing the medical examiner and get into the service; still I can find no reason for their retention after they are discovered. We all know the evil influence that a few bad men can have upon a good crew; their subtle methods of strengthening their depravity by entrapping the weak, but immatured, innocent ones are a constant danger. As the moral condition of the personnel is of importance in estimating their value to the navy, it should be considered fully and carefully before accepting any one in the service. It bears equally upon the requirements of an admiral as of the men. In fact, it has such a strong bearing upon physical soundness that it should receive a larger consideration than I intend to give—not from lack of desire or interest, but the limited length of the essay will not admit of a full discussion of the subject. I shall mention only the enlisted force in a brief way to indicate the requirements and the lines we should work on, and which, I am happy to say, is gradually tending toward a higher plane. Capt. Mahan says, "It is the moral tone that most especially calls for education and elevation." "This failure of moral tone is seen most markedly in two things. As a rule they attach no idea of moral wrong to the violation of a contract, hence desertion. Equally, they have no sense of their dignity as men, nor the beauty of self-control, hence drunkenness unaccompanied by any sense of shame." In part, this is true: I believe, however, that many desertions are due to the presence of bad men in the ship, which often forces good men to desert rather than be compelled to associate with degraded ones. Whether correct or not, is it not our fault? If we added to the dignity of the crew by eliminating from the ship all vicious men, by encouraging in every way their self-reliance, by entrusting them with certain power to enforce morality, and trusting in their honor and encouraging them in their work—if we make them feel that their humble position is one of honor and responsibility, and that their shipmates are largely in their keeping and their making, will it not tend to elevate the morals?
I do not include among the vicious all intemperate men, for all such men are not vicious. I would not include in this statement the men of long service who, like the enlisted men of twenty-five years ago, formed habits from former associates; they were of the old school when narrowed lives within the walls of the ship and restricted liberty of a few days every three months led them to the belief that to get drunk and whoop it up was an inherited and expected action from the old salt. There are not many of this type; they were a noble set of men, neither saints nor sinners, but stalwart, simple, honest sailors: generous, obedient, and courageous, who always exhibited their worse side to those on shore who knew them not—but whose worth was known and appreciated by their officers. No, I do not include dear old misunderstood blue-jackets of long ago; the few remaining shipmates who make us older ones happy to shake their hands, a pressure that produces a mutual feeling of pleasure; an unexplainable but perfectly understood mental awakening that transfers us to scenes of the past. I know they had faults, though I cannot recall them. It was the other fellow who was the tough. I wrote my memoranda by candle light and I omitted names, but I did record the good points of his character, and his deeds. No, he is not the one. He is a survival of the fittest—and that is proof of his robustness and moral worth. I know his struggles, how he has buffeted the moral and professional storms of a sailor's life, which the present generation knows little of, and which could only be understood by a psychologist. What a blessing that we remember our pleasures and forget our pains. I have read the crude sign-board of the past erected by our sailors of long ago. I read this old shipmate's guide-post with its simple legend by the modern electric light. He stands, naked, before me for his last active service examination; and I note the eagle and our flag upon one arm, and on the other—Faith, Hope, and Charity. I see the faded tattooed cross upon his wrinkled weatherbeaten breast, which throws his shortcomings in the shadow; the pressure of his hard but generous hand; and the fearless, honest look of his eyes is kindness and all else. His meek lips seem to form those few divine words: "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil." It is the soft wolian music handed down through the ages, as clear and harmonious now as when first heard by Christian mariners. Every sailor has seen the tracing of his tapering mast against the sky among the stars; it is a mystic writing, still I like to think they are of the same exalted nature as the words of the Maker when he wrote in the dust at the feet of the accused woman. No man knows what they were, but they seem to me to be an admonition of a Christian's duty towards his fellow-man; an incentive to a kindlier thought, a nobler deed, a purer life. Let us endeavor to inculcate and promote these ideas among those with whom we are thrown in the navy.
In my retrospective study of the improvements that have gradually taken place in the personnel of the navy during my connection with it, I find that the lines followed that have led to the best results have been the sanitary, moral, and intellectual. I cannot dwell at length on any one, but will endeavor to point out by example the evolutions that have taken place.
We older officers can recall the ship's head in the bow of the vessel with its discomforts in every way. The seas or spray that often made it unbearable in storm, or rainy weather; how many realized aside from its mal-odors and discomforts, the absolute distress and diseases it produced on the intestinal organs of the men; or the discontent and ill-temper that these diseases in a mild form produced. An improvement in that one respect brought untold comfort and saved days of illness, and added to the contentment of the crew.
We remember the old, greasy, black mess-cloth, the scouse pans, the sailors grouped about on the decks eating their food—which was good of its kind, but a very poor kind; the weevilly bread, or rice, the rusty pork, the tough old salt horse. An improvement in the ration, in variety and quality and preservation, checked digestive troubles and added cheerfulness, for any victim of indigestion cannot be cheerful, obedient, or do good work. It was such a common complaint that very little medical attention was paid to it, for the ordinary case requiring a simple improvement in the food was beyond the abilities of the commissariat. What a step was the introduction of the table! what a civilizing effect it had to see men seated about it eating their meals, writing their letters or reading!
We remember the lack of reading matter; no libraries for the men, and only a few dry, out-of-date professional books for the officers. A canvass of the ship revealed that only a small percentage of the crew could read or write. There was an old saying that "a hard worked ship was a happy one," and to this false saying I was a convert for some time, until I noticed certain men, when idle, stare by the hour into space. I had often wondered what their thoughts were, contemplating a ring-bolt for long periods, until inquiry revealed that they could not read. What a Godsend was the crew's library! What an attraction to those of the better class, able to read! What a boon to the service was this educational inducement for a higher intellectual plane! It has done, and is still doing, a great moral work.
Liberty was rare; and it was generally understood that a return on board before his liberty time had expired meant that the man relinquished all consideration so far as that liberty was concerned. What a humane act it was to increase the frequency of liberties and allow the men to return to the ship as often as they chose without curtailing the time granted them! In some ships I have been on, the men were encouraged to seek the shelter of the ship at night and take their meals on board, without curtailing their liberty. Thus saving their money, and protecting them from temptations.
What inducement was there for a man to save his earnings? None. If he had money on the paymaster's books it could all be swept away by the sentence of a court martial. To-day the generosity of the government in allowing interest induces him to save. What a humane forethought to rescind this power of the court and thus provide a nest-egg which, with his service pension, will add many comforts to his retired life.
We were not so particular then in shipping men; foreigners without regard for any ship, flag, or country, were taken; all nationalities were accepted. The high pay was the only inducement to them. What an improvement in the crew since an intellectual standard has been required; and they must be American citizens; and how improved has been the growth and display of patriotism on the part of the men. Personal hygiene was sadly neglected: I cannot recall, in my early experience, a single tooth-brush forward of the mainmast. What a pleasure to-day to see the major part of the crew using brush and powder to preserve their teeth, so essential to health.
Mails were infrequent, and when they did come, most of the letters were for the officers—and few for the men; now, the mail consists of many bags, the largest part for the crew. On the Massachusetts I counted the number of letters received and sent out by the crew in one month, and found that 3144 letters were received, and 3464 sent off. Is this not sufficient comment on the intelligence of that ship's company?
We, all, can recall within the past few years the old "messing" System prevailing on our ships, with the constant trouble in com muting rations; the running away of the mess-man; the many worries of the first lieutenant over unpaid bills, etc., etc. What an advance has been made by the establishment of the general mess? There were complaints at first, but I carefully investigated the matter and found that the leaders in the opposition were the mess-men, who saw their powers of peculation gone: The unmerited romance of the bumboat has been, I hope, forever dropped from the navy; the canteen has supplanted it and given more comfort and contentment than was at first anticipated. These crudely-drawn and brief outlines show that the apparently diverse features, when carefully studied, have produced unexpected, beneficial results.
Many years ago (1876), Chaplain Wesley O. Holway found it difficult to draw the men to his services or get their close confidence, and his appeals for assistance or advice from his messmates met with no encouragement; he did not give up, but took a new path to accomplish his good work. He found that Jack's degradation was not due to a natural inclination but rather to his environment; so, through an off-hand talk on a piece of chalk, aided by a blackboard and a low power microscope, he succeeded in drawing (as he said) many repentant souls to Christ. This germ of twenty-seven years ago is bringing forth fruit to-day; through the electric lantern that is furnished by the Bureau of Equipment.
Regarding the apprentice system I shall say but a few words; the physical examinations and requirements apply the same to them. Three years' experience in one of our training ships convince me that we take the apprentices at too young an age; sixteen years should be the minimum, or better seventeen years; they are too immature and too frivolous, and are of little use as a physical force; they are sent to our regular cruisers at too early an age, and are a constant source of trouble; they fill a man's billet and do a child's work.
I can only speak of the landsmen from meagre experience, but my observation is that they are more earnest and readily learn; their mature age and greater bodily strength make them valuable; and, I further find, they are more intellectual from the advantage of longer schooling and acquire knowledge more readily, and are anxious to improve themselves in the duties of the ship.
I have long thought that the coal-passers are the most neglected men in the crew; they are the most degraded in proportion to their numbers, through indifference, I fear, and long-standing reputation for being tough; many are excellent men, but their low intellectual and moral plane is largely due to our not being more careful in selecting them. Some system should be adopted to improve their condition—one I can suggest, that applies to the whole engineer's force, is the closer study of the ventilation; it is not so much the question of pure air in their case as it is cool air. We should not feel satisfied with a temperature of 110 degrees, but should strive to secure moving currents and a lower temperature; for no man can do efficient work in such a temperature for three or four hours. The arrangement of our coal-bunkers is bad; and it appears to me that there are great opportunities to improve the handling of the coal after it is stowed, both in time and labor, and under less trying circumstances. I can only see the hygienic side of it, but cannot point out the way to remedy this defect.
Of the move that is being made to afford amusements for the men I cannot speak too highly. All sports should be encouraged; and at every navy yard and station an ample and well-equipped athletic ground should be provided where baseball, football, and field sports can be indulged in. Another important feature should be a club-house at each station within the yard, with gymnasium, reading room, and a room for such games as dominoes, cards, checkers, and chess. A large hall, with stage and simple scenery, in which entertainments could be given by the men would add to their amusement, and need not interfere, in the least, with the noble and generous efforts of the Y. M. C. A. to establish naval branches of their association.
I have often thought of the utter lack of inducements for the sailor-men to enjoy a domestic life, with wife and children. Their life seems to oppose it; yet I know of many who have been made better men by marriage, and they have felt that the sacrifices they have made through almost constant sea-duty were repaid by joys received. To induce men to remain in the service and reach a high standard, and to encourage marriage, why is it not possible to give shore duty to a certain number of continuous service men of a special merit or conduct class? I suggest the following scheme, which seems feasible; we all know that large sums of money are expended whenever a vessel is put in com mission, directly chargeable to deterioration while the ship was laid up at the yard, or in ordinary. This great amount is a surprising one.
I was told that the cost of restoring one vessel to the same condition she was in when turned over to the yard authorities amounted to nearly $200,000; and this was less than two years after being tied up at the dock. Another vessel required $10,000 expenditure after four months lying in ordinary; and this expenditure was principally in the machinery department. I was informed that a detail of sixty-five men in one case, and twenty in the other, would have kept these ships in condition so that they could have been ready for sea as soon as crew, stores, and coal could have been placed on board; and the cost would have been, roughly, less than a third of this. Time, which is of value, would have been saved. The practice now is to simply place a watchman on board, whose duty consists in seeing that the ship is not depredated by sneak-thieves. At every navy yard in our country such cases occur. Are there not similar billets at the Naval Academy, at our magazines, on our receiving ships? In fact, every place controlled by the navy which our men could be assigned for shore duty for one, two, or three years? I know of one case of the admiral's barge, and various tugs, at one navy yard, of men having held these billets for years; they are special enlistments and are not sent to sea on that account; if they were required to go to sea, they would throw up their jobs. All such places could be given to our married men; and the knowledge that only a special class of men would be eligible would be sufficient inducement for the men to merit such a distinction.
In his report, the Chief of Bureau of Navigation speaks of the number of desertions, etc., etc., and gives certain reasons. I will give extracts from observations, on three ships, that were curiously made at intervals of about eight years; each case stands by itself and each shows the lines on which the progress was made, and benefits obtained; which are striking and manifest. . . . I served on a ship (she was painted black), in which the regulations were carried out to the letter, and rules not in the regulations were also carried out. I do not hesitate to say she was perfect in one way, "ataut" from truck to keel. She would have impressed any one not attached to her as a model; her yacht- like appearance, so beautiful in every way, and so comfortably fitted for officers and crews; yet she was an unhappy ship. She was ruled with a rod of steel; the men received no consideration, the officers about the same. Now what was the trouble? It was all work and no play.
There were ample hours to afford rest and amusement for Jack, but none were ever indulged in; in fact, they were discouraged. There was no joyous laughter ever heard within her somber hull; there was no innocent skylarking about her decks; no music, either vocal or instrumental, ever broke the stillness of the evening air, either in port or at sea. Liberty was given as seldom as regulations allowed, and it was dearly paid for. The returning liberty-party was scrutinized with a tyrannical minuteness, and any shortcomings punished with a promptness and vigor that only the most daring and reckless would face; no Pets were about the ship belonging to the men; a single cat softly trod about, and he appeared symbolic of her general condition. The daily inspections were superb, so far as bright, clean arms, tidy uniforms, perfect decorum, and silence were concerned. Look in the faces of the crew! They were clean, they were intelligent, and a fair type of sailor men, but there was not a single face that bore a soft expression. The compressed lips, the contracted brow, the depressed corners of mouth and eye, the expanded chest and rigid position of the body—the quick, momentary glances that caught your own, all indicated discontent, hatred, unwillingness depressed spirits, disappointed hopes, suppressed emotions, a fettered manhood. Extra liberty was occasionally given to a few in some quiet and out-of-the-way place to fish or walk ashore. But it was seldom requested; too many refusals had been given to encourage further attempts. I have often noticed her beautiful boats, so clean, so graceful, so perfect, hanging in idleness at the davits. They were seldom in the water except for drill. No racing among the crew, no sailing or fishing parties disturbed them. Very seldom visiting parties went from the ship to other ships of our navy, or from other ships to ours; no library existed for the men, a few books belonging to individuals circulated among the crew. No religious service was ever held on board. Were the officers happy? No; they were a discontented lot, or so it seemed to me, compared with the happy ship that I had left.
Why was this trouble, you will ask? It was simply a damnable application of a good set of regulations by the usurping of autocratic power by a narrow-minded man, who should have prevented instead of caused such a state; he was unintentionally assisted by the discontented minds of the other officers who, not receiving consideration from their senior, allowed their injured feelings and unhappy state to pass to the grades below, and so it ran through the ship. A little thought on the part of the captain, a little consideration for his officers, and by them for the men, a knowledge that the admiral and Jack have equal claims on the Almighty; that they are built the same, have the same organs, feelings, appetites; in fact the same mental attributes, varying only in degree and intensity. In other words, if intelligence had been used and properly applied, the ship could have been made a pleasant one.
I served on another ship (she was painted white) very similar in build to the black one. The same regulations controlled her commanding officer, about the same crew and with the same natural conditions, the same drills and requirements were exacted from the men. The same obedience, promptness, and tidiness marked the crew. The only difference that a visitor would have noticed in them would have been their faces, not in type or character, but the contrast between disappointment and despair in the faces of the first, and the contentment and confidence in the faces of the last. This great contrast would have raised the inquiry at once, what is the cause of this marked difference? Let me answer, it was this: The white hull of the last vessel was full of life and energy during recreative hours. The cheerful voices of the men were heard in song vibrating in the evening air either in solo or chorus; natural, hearty peals of laughter would ring out as some joke was perpetrated, or story told; the shuffle of feet was heard keeping time to the music of the volunteer band, as they whirled to the waltz, or other round dance, or tried a jig or break-down; even the ship's dog would give a joyous bark as he received the caresses of the men after performing some simple trick he had been taught, the pet minot bird would add to the pleasure by giving his song; feats of strength or skill in boxing were indulged in; races in boats, either under sails, or oars, were permitted on the asking; books were numerous and well thumbed; liberty was no novelty; visiting parties to other ships were frequent; dinner parties were given on occasions of some holiday by the ship's company to the ships of our own or of other nations; desertions and intemperance were rare; punishments seldom; the brig was unlocked and empty most of the time. She was a happy ship! The men were not saints, they were not exactly sinners. They were simply a fine crew of sailor men. They drank in moderation; their other faults or vices were bearable; vile habits were suppressed; they were attempted once but detected and promptly put down by the crew, the offender was made so uncomfortable by the crew that he sought forgiveness, which was granted. No other case ever appeared.
The moral and intellectual tone of the ship was striking, and the three years I served on her this condition was kept. This happy state was brought about solely through the thoughtful application of a set of rules by the captain and the first lieutenant, who were seconded in their work by the other officers, and without relaxing for one moment the rigid laws of the navy. Every violation of the regulations was severely punished, but never with violence or show; it was with regret, a few words of advice, an injunction to mend his ways, an appeal to his sense of manhood, and the delinquent was awarded his punishment which was carried out to the letter. He was not branded; the road to regaining the confidence of his officers and the liberties he once enjoyed was open to him, and was graciously accepted. I have seen a man's face brighten as he heard his name read promoting him from the lowest to the next grade, his head would be held higher and his steps lighter as the captain would encourage his attempts to rise, by the simple words "I am glad to see Your improvement, my man; I hope to hear your name called in the next class on the next mustering day." Interest shown by the officers in the men is always appreciated by the crew. A few friendly words to individuals, by the first lieutenant or officers of the divisions commanding them, such as, "Your boat looks well," "You did splendidly at drills to-day;" or a quiet word of warning, such as, "You did not do your best, Jack; I know you can do better, so try; I expect it, I expect to commend instead of chide you next time "—these are such trivial things that they are apt to pass unnoticed; small though they be, they bear fruit.
I served on a third ship—she was painted white, was swifter and in several ways more crowded and less comfortable than the other two; she had electric lights, modern guns, and all the modern appliances of eight years ago.
The commanding officer was a strict disciplinarian, but broadminded and generous—a Christian gentleman in every sense; his interest extended to every part of the ship; and he was supported by a good set of officers: above the average, I thought; perhaps not; but we were a happy lot and pulled well together; our crew was fair, but no better at the start than is met with in other ships.
Our first lieutenant was a man of tact and excellent judgment, with a full knowledge that conscientious work was worthy of notice; that unsatisfactory work to him, but satisfactory to the worker, depended largely upon the intelligence of the individual. His patience and encouragement were striking; his criticisms on every slighted job were just but never harsh, cruel, or abusive. In a dignified manner he gently pointed out the shortcomings, how the work should be done, and ordered it corrected; he would again inspect, commend any improvement, and if still not up to his standard would say "I will let it go, but you must improve on that."
At the beginning of the cruise it was announced that searching men on returning from liberty would not be tolerated; an appeal to their manhood was made, and the petty officers were told that they were expected to suppress any liquor smuggling, or immorality. This rule was observed for over three years, and I know that within a year there was not a good man in the ship who did not feel that his manhood and dignity were respected, and he was the happier for it. There were some toughs who took advantage and did smuggle liquor, on rare occasions; but these cases were few, or seldom brought to official notice; and the delinquents were most severely punished.
I know of several instances where the crew quickly suppressed a clique of short-time men, from other ships, who tried to introduce liquor. It was with our second commanding officer this occurred: he called the old petty officers aft and reminded them of his pleasure in continuing the good rules of his predecessor and told them that he expected them and the old crew to stop the matter at once. It was done; and for a few days we noticed some badly bruised and very meek-looking sailors, who were not of the old crew; but there was no more smuggling of liquor. We had men who got drunk, but they seldom raised a row on board; what liquor they brought on board was in their stomachs. If any boisterousness were heard, the surgeon was appealed to, and an emetic cleared the stomach and quieted the delinquent. Three very bad characters were gotten rid of by sentence of court martial, and suddenly discharged and landed on the beach after being informed that every consul had been notified, and they could expect no help. The numerous liberties, the freedom of the special and first-class men, the interest in the men exhibited by the officers, the allowing of a certain number of pets, the presence of three good musicians, and the singing and dancing, produced a happiness and loyalty that was so marked as to cause jealousy among other ships of the squadron. After hard service, when the crew was quarantined to the ship for three months, we gave liberty in Hong Kong; and, I will mention, not a man overstayed his time; and the behavior of the crew was so exemplary as to elicit the most flattering remarks from the governor of the city and was commented on by the foreign residents of the place. I will say that nine warrants were awarded to the men of that ship's crew. It was only necessary to pass the word to "clean ship;" no further order was required from the officer of the deck; and she was cleaned in every department; she was healthy and happy. She will ever dwell in my mind as an example of what a ship can be made by a good, thoughtful set of manly officers who are loyal to their duties, and particularly a commanding officer who draws near him his subordinates, and a first lieutenant whose character is sufficiently broad not to repel a good suggestion, or offer, to help him in his varied duties. We need men who will impress every one with the idea that the ship's reputation belongs in part to them, and never allow them to forget that every loyal officer and man with a true sense of his duty in his heart is as much interested in the good name and condition of the ship and crew as the admiral or captain; if he fail to do all in his power to secure and maintain her reputation in every way, he is derelict in his duty. This is the broad spirit in keeping with our country's teaching that the ship and service are ours—not mine. This spirit should be instilled into the men, and I am happy to state that it was the prevailing spirit on that ship.
There is much that I have not mentioned, that bears upon the subject, that I hope may still be spoken of by some one with an abler pen and more active mind. If I succeed in arresting attention, or securing a single advance in improving either the moral, physical, or intellectual standard of our naval personnel, I shall feel that my labor has not been in vain.