(Being a reprint from the Reminiscences of JOHN H.WATSON, M.D., Late of the Army Medical Department.)
In the year 1878 I took my degree of Doctor of Medicine of the University ofLondon, and proceeded to Netley to go through the course prescribed forsurgeons in the army. Having completed my studies there, I was duly attached tothe Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers as Assistant Surgeon. The regiment wasstationed in India at the time, and before I could join it, the second Afghanwar had broken out. On landing at Bombay, I learned that my corps had advancedthrough the passes, and was already deep in the enemy’s country. I followed,however, with many other officers who were in the same situation as myself, andsucceeded in reaching Candahar in safety, where I found my regiment, and atonce entered upon my new duties.
The campaign brought honours and promotion to many, but for me it had nothingbut misfortune and disaster. I was removed from my brigade and attached to theBerkshires, with whom I served at the fatal battle of Maiwand. There I wasstruck on the shoulder by a Jezail bullet, which shattered the bone and grazedthe subclavian artery. I should have fallen into the hands of the murderousGhazis had it not been for the devotion and courage shown by Murray, myorderly, who threw me across a pack-horse, and succeeded in bringing me safelyto the British lines.
Worn with pain, and weak from the prolonged hardshi