1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 115
2 wounded. So confidently had the opinion been
3 entertained that the Sikhs would not offer resist-
4 ance, that it was deemed unnecessary to make any
5 arrangements for a field hospital. There were no
6 medical stores or surgical instruments on the field,
7 except those attached to regimental hospitals; and
8 the hurry of the movements prevented any suf-
9 ficient supply from being obtained without great
10 delay. It was, to say the least, an anomalous event
11 that the “field surgeon” should have been fifteen
12 or sixteen miles from the field! but so it was; Medical
13 not that his presence could have effected much goes‘e.
14 without the requisite supply of medical stores nce" "°
15 and instruments; and the fault of not possessing
16 these did not rest with him, for there was no pos-
17 sibility of obtaining them from the depdts owing to
18 their great distance. The writer of this work had
19 recommended a depét for medical stores being
20 formed at Kurnaul, to meet any sudden demand
21 which the hostile appearance of the Sikhs might
22 render necessary.* He likewise advised the ap-
23 pointment ofa superintending surgeon at Feerozpore;
24 but such recommendations coming from an humble eet on
25 individual could not be expected to meet the eye of
26 superior authority, and had they been offered in a
27 more direct manner, the probable result would have
28 been a reprimand, to the effect, “ that the adviser
29 had better confine himself to his own duty.”
30 These observations may appear foreign to the
31 * Medical and Literary Journal for January 1845.
32 12