CONTRACT SURGEON. In the 'United States Army, a civilian physician or dental surgeon. employed under contract with the Sur geon-General of the army. Civilian physicians and dentists may be employed as contract sur geons and contract dental surgeons under con tracts entered into by, or with the authority of, the Snrgeon-General of the army. They are entitled to the transportation and fuel allow ances of first lieutenants, and when on duty at a post or station where there are quarters be longing to the States, they receive the quarters in kind allowed by regulations to an assistant surgeon of the rank of first lieutenant; they are not entitled to commutation of quarters, nor to the ten per centinu increase of pay when serving beyond the territorial limits of the United States. They are entitled to the same official obedience from enlisted men as regularly commissioned officers, and may be detailed On councils of administration and boards of sur Vey, act as post treasurer, etc., and witness pay to enlisted men under the provisions of paragraph 1502 to 1527 of the Hegulations, hut may not be detailed for duty on courts-martial. Generally expressed, the contract surgeon's eligi bility for duty is the same as that of an assistant, surgeon, except hi so far as it is limited by the fact that he is not a coluniissioned officer. Can
didates for appointment as dental surgeons must be not less than twenty-fonr, nor more than forty years of age, and must be graduates of standard medical or dental colleges, trained in the several branches of dentistry, of good moral character, and, prior to appointment, will be required to pass a satisfactory professional ex amination before a board of dental surgeons, convened for that purpose. Contracts with den tal surgeons are made for three years, hut may be annulled, for cause, at any time. They are attached to the medical department, and are assigned to duty in accordance with the recom mendations of the Surgeon-General'of the army, or the chief surgeon of a military department. A dental surgeon is allowed, as an assistant, one enlisted luau from the Hospital Corps, and must operate between the hours of 9 A.M. and 4 P.M. upon soldiers entitled thereto only. Before and after these hours, he is free to pursue his private practice.
The United States is the only country in the world employing army dental surgeons. For detailed information as to the duties, privileges, etc.. of contract surgeons, consult Army Regula tions War Department (Washington, 1901). See