Special Text, ST 8-30-1, Medical Intelligence, 1951

Authors

Robert Bolin , depositor, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1951

Document Type

Article

Citation

The minimal citation for this document is ST 8-30-1, 1951.

Comments

(1) This is a digital copy of a copy of a document borrowed from the National Medical Library in October 1996.

(2) In the army publication system, Special Texts, are textbooks for use in army schools.

Since the army reuses document numbers and titles, the date must be included to unambiguously identify a given document.

Abstract

In 1951, Army Medical Service (AMS) was the technical service that provided medical supplies, equipment, and services to the army. Like all of the technical services, the AMS was responsible for intelligence in its field of expertise. The chief of the AMS was The Surgeon General, US Army, and his headquarters was the Office of The Surgeon General (OSG) in Washington. The OSG was part of the Headquarters, Department of the Army.

A staff section within the OSG was the top level army medical intelligence production organization.

This is a textbook used in the Army Medical Field Service School at Ft Sam Houston, TX. The stated purpose to the text is “…to establish doctrine and to promote an understanding of the role of the Army Medical Service in the functions and operations concerned with the production of military and medical intelligence.”

Intelligence is defined as “evaluated information” and military information is defined as “…all documents, facts, material, photographs, maps, reports, or observations of any kind which may …throw light on a possible or actual enemy or theater of operation.”

Medical intelligence is defined as “…that intelligence useful to or required by governmental and nongovernmental agencies…for planning, supply, and conduct of the medical aspects of their activities. Medical intelligence deals with both tactical and technical matters…”

After a brief historical introduction, the text elaborates on the organization, functions and operation of medical intelligence in the continental US and in forces in the field.

About a third of the text consists of an extensive library classification schedule for medical intelligence documents. A review of that list shows that the scope of medical intelligence is very broad.