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Test Bank for Medical Terminology for

Health Care Professionals 9th by Rice


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Test Bank for Medical Terminology for Health Care


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Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

2) The foundation of a word is the:

A) combining vowel.

B) combining form.

C) root.

D) prefix.

Answer: C

Explanation: A) A combining vowel is used to attach a root to a suffix.

B) A combining form is a root with a combining vowel added.

C) Correct.

D) A prefix comes before and is attached to a root.

Page Ref: 2

Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

3) The prefix ad- means:

A) toward.

B) away from.

C) beside.
D) above.

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) The prefix ab- means away from.

C) The prefix para- means beside.

D) The prefixes supra- and hyper- mean above.

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

4) The prefix dis- means:

A) bad.

B) apart.

C) through.

D) against.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) The prefixes cac- and mal- mean bad.

B) Correct.

C) The prefix dia- means through.

D) The prefix anti- means against.


Page Ref: 10

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

5) In the term antipyretic, the root pyret means:

A) against.

B) putrefaction.

C) fever.

D) pertaining to.

Answer: C

Explanation: A) The prefix anti- means against.

B) The root sept means putrefaction.

C) Correct.

D) The suffix -ic means pertaining to.

Page Ref: 9

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

6) In the term epidemic, the prefix epi- means:

A) around.
B) upon.

C) before.

D) cause.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) The prefix peri- means around.

B) Correct.

C) The prefix pro- means before.

D) The root eti means cause.

Page Ref: 10

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

7) Which of the following words means one-thousandth of a liter?

A) Centiliter

B) Kiloliter

C) Microliter

D) Milliliter

Answer: D

Explanation: A) A centiliter is one-hundredth of a liter.

B) A kiloliter is one thousand liters.


C) A microliter is one-millionth of a liter.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 12

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

8) In the term necrosis, the root necr means:

A) death.

B) sick.

C) tumor.

D) bad kind.

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) The root morbid means sick.

C) The root onc means tumor.

D) The root malign means bad kind.

Page Ref: 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building


9) In the word microscope, the suffix -scope means:

A) shape

B) glass lens

C) instrument for examining

D) view

Answer: C

Explanation: A) The suffix -form means shape.

B) There is no suffix meaning glass lens.

C) Correct.

D) The suffix -opsy means to view.

Page Ref: 12

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

10) The process of being stuck together is:

A) excision.

B) incision.

C) abhesion.

D) adhesion.

Answer: D
Explanation: A) Excision is the process of cutting out.

B) Incision is the process of cutting in.

C) This is not a real word. The prefix ab- means to away from.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 8

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Comprehension

Question Type: Word Building

11) The combining form eti/o means:

A) cause.

B) before.

C) between.

D) within.

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) The prefix pro- means before.

C) The prefix inter- means between.

D) The prefix intra- means within.

Page Ref: 11

Objective: 5
Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

12) In the term radiology, the suffix -logy means:

A) knowledge.

B) study of.

C) condition.

D) pertaining to.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) The suffix -gnosis means knowledge.

B) Correct.

C) The suffix -osis means condition.

D) There are many suffixes that means pertaining to, such as -al, -ar, and -ic.

Page Ref: 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

13) In the term malignant, the suffix -ant means:

A) forming.

B) pertaining to.

C) condition.
D) produce.

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) There are many suffixes that means pertaining to, such as -al, -ar, and -ic.

C) The suffix -osis means condition.

D) The suffix -genic means produce.

Page Ref: 12

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

14) The correct spelling for the suffix that means knowledge is:

A) -gosis.

B) -gnosis.

C) -gnosos.

D) -gnoses.

Answer: B

Explanation: B) Correct.

Page Ref: 10

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge


Question Type: Spelling

15) The combining form onc/o means:

A) chemical.

B) tumor.

C) large.

D) death.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) The combining form chem/o means chemical.

B) Correct.

C) The combining form macr/o means large.

D) The root necr means death.

Page Ref: 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

16) Which of the following is concerned with the use of chemical agents to
treat disease?

A) Chemotherapy

B) Etiology

C) Oncology

D) Triage
Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) This is the study of the causes of disease.

C) This is the study of tumors.

D) This is a system of classifying patient injuries to determent treatment


priority.

Page Ref: 10

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

17) The suffix -centesis means:

A) surgical puncture.

B) surgical incision.

C) surgical excision.

D) surgical repair.

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) The suffix -tomy means a surgical incision.

C) The suffix -ectomy means a surgical excision.

D) The suffix -rrhaphy means a surgical repair or suture.

Page Ref: 13
Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

18) What does the prefix dis- mean in the word disinfectant?

A) through

B) upon

C) death

D) apart

Answer: D

Explanation: A) The prefix dia- means through.

B) The prefix epi- means upon.

C) The root necr means death.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 10

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

19) In the term maximal, the root maxim means:

A) large.

B) greatest.
C) least.

D) small.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) The root macr means large.

B) Correct.

C) The root minim means least.

D) The root micr means small.

Page Ref: 12

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

20) Which of the following combining forms means intestine?

A) etio

B) cardio

C) gastro

D) entero

Answer: D

Explanation: A) This combining form means cause.

B) This combining form means heart.

C) This combining form means stomach.


D) Correct.

Page Ref: 15

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Analysis

Question Type: Word Building

21) A syllable placed at the beginning of a word is called a:

A) root.

B) combining form.

C) prefix.

D) suffix.

Answer: C

Explanation: A) The root is the word foundation.

B) A combining form is a root plus a combining vowel.

C) Correct.

D) A suffix is placed at the end of a word.

Page Ref: 2

Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

22) The study of the cause of disease is called:


A) diagnosis.

B) etiology.

C) prognosis.

D) oncology.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) Diagnosis means a determination of a disease.

B) Correct.

C) A prognosis is a prediction of a course of disease.

D) This is the study of cancer.

Page Ref: 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

23) A relationship of understanding between two individuals, especially


between the patient and the physician, is called:

A) empathy.

B) afferent.

C) apathy.

D) rapport.

Answer: D

Explanation: A) This is feeling what another feels.


B) Afferent means carrying impulses to a center.

C) Apathy is lack of feeling.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Comprehension

Question Type: Communication

24) To move away from the middle is:

A) abduct.

B) efferent.

C) afferent.

D) adduct.

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) Efferent means to send impulses away from the center.

C) Afferent means to send impulses toward the center.

D) This means to draw parts to the middle.

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge


Question Type: Word Building

25) The term febrile means:

A) pertaining to fever.

B) forming a disease.

C) condition of heat.

D) process of becoming ill.

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct. Febrile refers to a person having a fever.

B) Febrile does not mean forming a disease.

C) Febrile does not mean condition of heat.

D) Febrile does not mean process of becoming ill.

Page Ref: 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

26) ________ means sudden, sharp, and severe.

A) Acute

B) Triage

C) Chronic

D) Abate
Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) Triage is a system of prioritizing the severity of patients’ injuries.

C) Chronic refers to an illness that changes little over time.

D) Abate means to lessen, decrease, or cease.

Page Ref: 8

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

27) A combination of signs and symptoms occurring together that


characterizes a specific disease is called:

A) prognosis.

B) etiology.

C) diagnosis.

D) syndrome.

Answer: D

Explanation: A) Prognosis is a prediction of the course of a disease.

B) Etiology is the study of the cause of an illness.

C) Diagnosis is a determination of the nature and cause of a disease.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 14
Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

28) The correct spelling for the medical term for profuse sweating is:

A) diphoresis.

B) dyphoresis.

C) diaphoresis.

D) dyaphoresis.

Answer: C

Explanation: C) This is the correct spelling

Page Ref: 10

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Spelling

29) The process of cutting out is called:

A) incision.

B) excision.

C) biopsy.

D) incise.

Answer: B
Explanation: A) Incision means to cut into.

B) Correct.

C) Biopsy means to take a sample of tissue.

D) Incise means to cut.

Page Ref: 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

30) In the term maximal, the suffix -al means:

A) pertaining to.

B) condition.

C) process.

D) forming.

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) The suffix -osis, among others, means condition.

C) The suffix -ion means process.

D) The suffix -ant means forming.

Page Ref: 12

Objective: 5
Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

31) In the term prophylactic, the root prophylact means:

A) people.

B) shaping

C) guarding.

D) rule.

Answer: C

Explanation: A) The root dem means people.

B) The root format means shaping.

C) Correct.

D) The root norm means rule.

Page Ref: 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

32) The prefix is ________ of a word.

A) at the beginning

B) the root

C) at the end
D) the vowel attached to the root

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) The prefix is attached to the root.

C) A suffix is at the end.

D) The vowel makes a combining form.

Page Ref: 2

Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

33) What is the purpose of a prefix?

A) To combine a root and a suffix

B) To be the foundation of the word

C) To alter the meaning of a root

D) To shorten a lengthy word or phrase

Answer: C

Explanation: A) The vowel added to a root to combine it with a suffix is the


combining form.

B) The root is the foundation of a word.

C) Correct.

D) An abbreviation is a shortened word or phrase.


Page Ref: 2

Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Comprehension

Question Type: Word Building

34) The foundation of the word is the:

A) combining form.

B) root.

C) suffix.

D) prefix.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) A combining form is a root plus a vowel.

B) Correct.

C) This is a modifier that comes after the root.

D) This is a modifier that comes before the root.

Page Ref: 2

Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

35) The root format means:

A) forming.
B) examining.

C) shaping.

D) processing.

Answer: C

Explanation: A) The suffix -ant means forming.

B) The root scop means examining.

C) Correct.

D) The suffix -ion means process.

Page Ref: 12

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

36) In building medical terms, the combining vowel most often used is:

A) A.

B) E.

C) I.

D) O.

Answer: D

Explanation: D) Correct. Occasionally the vowel I is used.

Page Ref: 3
Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

37) When giving the meaning of the word, you usually begin with the:

A) prefix.

B) root.

C) suffix.

D) combining form.

Answer: C

Explanation: C) Correct.

Page Ref: 3

Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

38) The suffix -poiesis means:

A) spitting.

B) prolapse.

C) before.

D) formation.

Answer: D
Explanation: A) The suffix -ptysis means spitting.

B) The suffix -ptosis means prolapsed or drooping.

C) The prefix pre- means before.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

39) The abbreviation Bx means:

A) before.

B) blood pressure.

C) biopsy.

D) beside.

Answer: C

Explanation: A) The prefix pre- means before.

B) The abbreviation BP means blood pressure.

C) Correct.

D) The prefix para- mean beside.

Page Ref: 9

Objective: 9
Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

40) The prefix in abnormal means:

A) condition.

B) pertaining to.

C) destruction.

D) away from.

Answer: D

Explanation: A) The suffix -osis means condition.

B) Many suffixes mean pertaining to, such as -al or -ic.

C) The suffix -tripsy means to crush or destroy.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 8

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

41) The medical term antipyretic means an agent that is:

A) against cough.

B) against disease or pregnancy.

C) against fever.
D) against sepsis.

Answer: C

Explanation: A) An antitussive is against cough.

B) A prophylactic protects against disease or pregnancy

C) Correct.

D) The term antiseptic means against sepsis or infection.

Page Ref: 9

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Comprehension

Question Type: Word Building

42) The term cachexia means:

A) pertaining to the armpit.

B) surgical incision.

C) condition of ill health.

D) carried through sweat glands

Answer: C

Explanation: A) Axillary means pertaining to the armpit.

B) The suffix -tomy means the surgical removal of tissue.

C) Correct.

D) Diaphoresis means carried through sweat glands.


Page Ref: 9

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

43) The suffix -hexia means:

A) burst forth.

B) condition.

C) knowledge.

D) treatment.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) The suffix -rrhage means to burst forth.

B) Correct.

C) The suffix -gnosis means knowledge.

D) The suffix -therapy means treatment.

Page Ref: 9

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

44) The prefix in diagnosis means:

A) around.
B) through.

C) many.

D) alongside.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) The prefix peri- means around.

B) Correct. Another example is diameter.

C) The prefixes multi- or poly- mean many.

D) The prefix para- means alongside.

Page Ref: 10

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

45) The prefix in epidemic means:

A) above.

B) through.

C) around.

D) upon.

Answer: D

Explanation: A) The prefixes hyper- and super- mean above.

B) The prefix dia- means through.


C) The prefix peri- means around.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 10

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

46) The prefix in heterogeneous means:

A) different.

B) formation.

C) produce.

D) pertaining to.

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) The root gene means formation.

C) The root gene also means produce.

D) Many suffixes mean pertaining to, such as -al or -ar.

Page Ref: 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building


47) A kilogram is equal to:

A) 10 g.

B) 100 g.

C) 1,000 g.

D) 10,000 g.

Answer: C

Explanation: C) Only C is correct. Kilo means one thousand.

Page Ref: 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

48) In the terms milligram and milliliter, the prefix milli- means:

A) one-tenth.

B) one-hundredth.

C) one-thousandth.

D) one-millionth.

Answer: C

Explanation: A) One-tenth is deci-.

B) One-hundredth is centi-.

C) Correct.
D) One-millionth is micro-.

Page Ref: 12

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

49) The definition of pallor is:

A) pertaining to fever.

B) a lack of color.

C) palm of the hand.

D) a diseased state.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) Febrile means pertaining to a fever.

B) Correct.

C) Palmar means palm of the hand.

D) Morbidity is a state of being diseased.

Page Ref: 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

50) The medical term that means pertaining to fever is:


A) pyrogenic.

B) thermometer.

C) antipyretic.

D) febrile.

Answer: D

Explanation: A) Pyrogenic means producing fever.

B) A thermometer is an instrument to measure temperature.

C) An antipyretic is a substance used against a fever.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

51) Which of the following terms means against a cough?

A) antiseptic

B) antitussive

C) anesthesia

D) antipyretic

Answer: B

Explanation: A) Antiseptic means against sepsis or infection.


B) Correct.

C) Anesthesia means lack of feeling.

D) Antipyretic means against fever.

Page Ref: 9

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

52) The suffix -ic means:

A) study of.

B) process of.

C) treatment of.

D) pertaining to.

Answer: D

Explanation: A) The suffix -logy means study of.

B) The suffix -ion means the study of.

C) The suffix -therapy means treatment.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 9

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge


Question Type: Word Building

53) The prefix anti- means:

A) upon.

B) around.

C) against.

D) through.

Answer: C

Explanation: A) The prefix epi- means upon.

B) The prefix peri- means around.

C) Correct.

D) The prefix dia- means through.

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

54) In the term mortality, what does the root mortal mean?

A) human

B) sick

C) death

D) people
Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) The root morbid means sick.

C) The root necr means death.

D) The root dem means people.

Page Ref: 12

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

55) What is the correct abbreviation for the term otorhinolaryngology?

A) OTO

B) Orth

C) ENT

D) Erl

Answer: C

Explanation: A) OTO is not a standard abbreviation for a medical term.

B) Orth is the abbreviation for orthopedics.

C) Correct.

D) Erl is not a standard abbreviation for a medical term.

Page Ref: 20
Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

56) The SOAP note containing the diagnosis is which part of the note record?

A) the patient’s report of symptoms

B) the health professional’s observations

C) a plan of care

D) assessment

Answer: D

Explanation: A) This is the subjective part of the SOAP notes.

B) This is the objective section of the SOAP notes.

C) This is the management and treatment section of the SOAP notes.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Comprehension

Question Type: Medical Records

57) In the acronym SOAP, the S stands for:

A) suggestion.

B) syndrome.
C) social history.

D) subjective.

Answer: D

Explanation: D) Correct.

Page Ref: 19

Objective: 8

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Medical Records

58) Objective information is:

A) the patient’s description of his or her symptoms.

B) symptoms that can be observed or measured.

C) general family information.

D) basic data including date of birth, age, and gender.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) This is the subjective portion.

B) Correct.

C) General family information is included in the chart under patient data.

D) Date of birth, age, and gender are included in the chart under patient data.

Page Ref: 19

Objective: 8
Level of Diff.: Comprehension

Question Type: Medical Records

59) Which of the following would most likely be found in the ancillary reports
section of a patient’s medical record?

A) An anesthesiology report

B) A laboratory report

C) A physical therapy report

D) A pathology report

Answer: C

Explanation: A) Anesthesiology reports have their own section of the medial


record.

B) Laboratory reports have their own section of the medical record.

C) Correct.

D) Pathology reports have their own section of the medical record.

Page Ref: 18

Objective: 7

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Medical Records

60) When building medical words, what should you do when adding a suffix
that begins with a vowel to a combining form?

A) Drop the vowel in the suffix and keep the vowel in the combining form.

B) Keep the vowel in the suffix and drop the vowel in the combining form.
C) Keep the vowel in the suffix and keep the vowel in the combining form.

D) Drop the vowel in the suffix and drop the vowel in the combining form.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) The suffix vowel should be kept rather than the combining
form vowel.

B) Correct.

C) Keeping both vowels would result in words with incorrect double vowels.

D) Dropping both vowels would result in words with no combining vowel.

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 2

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

61) When building medical words, what should you do when adding a suffix
that begins with a consonant to a combining form?

A) Keep the vowel in the combining form and add the suffix.

B) Keep the vowel in the combining form, add an o, then add the suffix.

C) Drop the vowel in the combining form, add an o, then add the suffix.

D) Drop the vowel in the combining form, drop the consonant in the suffix, and
add the suffix.

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.
B) Keeping the vowel and adding an o would result in words with incorrect
double vowels.

C) The vowel should be kept in the combining form; no o is necessary.

D) Neither the vowel nor the consonant should be dropped.

Page Ref: 6

Objective: 2

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

62) When building medical words, what should you do when adding two
combining forms to a suffix that begins with a consonant?

A) Keep the vowel in the first combining form and drop it in the second.

B) Drop the vowel in the first combining form and keep it in the second.

C) Keep the vowels in both combining forms.

D) Drop the vowels from both combining forms.

Answer: C

Explanation: A) The vowels must be retained in both combining forms.

B) The vowels must be retained in both combining forms.

C) Correct.

D) The vowels must be retained in both combining forms.

Page Ref: 6

Objective: 2
Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

63) The spelling of which of these medical words follows the guideline for
adding a suffix that begins with a vowel to a combining form?

A) Diagnosis

B) Etiology

C) Pyrogenic

D) Necrosis

Answer: D

Explanation: A) Diagnosis combines the prefix dia- with the suffix -gnosis.

B) Etiology combines the combining form eti/o with the suffix -logy

C) Pyrogenic combines the combining form pyr/o with the suffix -genic.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 6

Objective: 2

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

64) The spelling of which of these medical words follows the guideline for
adding a suffix that begins with a consonant to a combining form?

A) Cardiac

B) Oncology
C) Prognosis

D) Prophylactic

Answer: B

Explanation: A) Cardiac drops the o from the combining form cardi/o before
adding the suffix -ac.

B) Correct.

C) Prognosis combines the prefix pro- with the suffix -gnosis.

D) Prophylactic combines the root prophylact with the suffix -ic.

Page Ref: 6

Objective: 2

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

65) The spelling of which of these medical words follows the guideline for
adding the combining form to a suffix that begins with a consonant?

A) Abnormal

B) Oncology

C) Antitussive

D) Epidemic

Answer: B

Explanation: A) Abnormal combines the prefix ab-, the root norm, and the
suffix -al.

B) Correct.
C) Antitussive combines the prefix anti-, the root tuss, and the suffix -ive.

D) Epidemic combines the prefix epi-, the root dem, and the suffix -ic.

Page Ref: 6

Objective: 2

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

66) Why is correct spelling extremely important in medical terminology?

A) SOAP notes are considered incomplete if they contain spelling errors.

B) The ICD-10-CM has very strict guidelines related to the proper spelling of
medical words.

C) The addition or omission of a single letter can change the meaning of a


word.

D) Many Electronic Health Records will not accept records if they contain
misspellings.

Answer: C

Explanation: A) Spelling errors do not impact the completion of SOAP notes.

B) The ICD-10-CM provides diagnosis codes, not spelling guidance.

C) Correct.

D) Most Electronic Health Records will accept records even if they contain
spelling errors.

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 3
Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

67) Gwen needs to use a word that means to lead toward the middle. She
writes down abduct. Is this the correct spelling of the word Gwen needed?

A) No; Gwen should have used adduct.

B) No; Gwen should have used apduct.

C) No; Gwen should have used acduct.

D) Yes, this is the correct word for Gwen to use.

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) Apduct is not the correct spelling; it is not a word.

C) Acduct is not the correct spelling; it is not a word.

D) Abduct is not the correct spelling; it means to lead away from the middle.

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 3

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

68) Charles needs to use a word to describe inflammation of a joint. He writes


down arthritis. Is this the correct spelling of the word Charles needed?

A) No; Charles should have used artteritis.

B) No; Charles should have used arteritis.


C) No; Charles should have used arhritis.

D) Yes, this is the correct word for Charles to use.

Answer: D

Explanation: A) Artteritis is not the correct spelling; it is not a word.

B) Arteritis is not the correct spelling; it means inflammation of an artery.

C) Arhritis is not the correct spelling; it is not a word.

D) Correct.

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 3

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

69) Quinn needs to use a word to describe a bacterial infection of the lungs.
She writes down neumonia. What did Quinn leave out of this word?

A) The silent e at the end of the word.

B) The silent p at the beginning of the word.

C) The double m in the middle of the word.

D) She did not leave anything out.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) There is no silent e in this word.

B) Correct.

C) There is no double m in this word.


D) There is a silent p at the beginning of the word.

Page Ref: 4

Objective: 3

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

70) Which of the following words contains a silent letter that often result in
misspelling?

A) phlegm

B) diagnosis

C) abduct

D) etiology

Answer: A

Explanation: A) Correct.

B) There are no silent letters in diagnosis.

C) There are no silent letters in abduct.

D) There are no silent letters in etiology.

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 3

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

71) How does an initialism differ from an acronym?


A) An initialism is more likely to be misinterpreted than an acronym because it
can have more than one meaning.

B) The individual letters are pronounced in an initialism rather than being read
as a word like an acronym.

C) An initialism includes periods between the letters in the abbreviation while


an acronym does not include periods.

D) Initialisms are frowned upon by the Institute for Safe Medical Practices
while acronyms are acceptable to this group.

Answer: B

Explanation: A) Any abbreviation with more than one potential meaning can be
misinterpreted, regardless of type.

B) Correct.

C) Periods are typically not used in any abbreviation unless that is the accepted
norm for that abbreviation.

D) The Institute for Safe medication Practices has a list of all types of
abbreviations that it recommends organizations avoid; the list is not limited to
a specific type of abbreviation.

Page Ref: 7

Objective: 4

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

72) Which of the following is an example of an acronym?

A) Dx

B) DOB
C) SOAP

D) Derm

Answer: C

Explanation: A) Dx is the abbreviation for diagnosis and each letter is


pronounced.

B) DOB is the abbreviation for date of birth and each letter is pronounced.

C) Correct.

D) Derm is the abbreviation for the word dermatology and is made by


shortening the word.

Page Ref: 7

Objective: 4

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

73) Which of the following is an example of an initialism?

A) HIPAA

B) WHO

C) Neuro

D) Wt

Answer: B

Explanation: A) HIPAA is the acronym for the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act and is read like a word.

B) Correct.
C) Neuro is a shortened version of the word neurology.

D) Wt is a shortened version of the word weight.

Page Ref: 7

Objective: 4

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

74) Which of the following abbreviations has more than one potential
meaning?

A) CDC

B) GYN

C) g

D) PA

Answer: D

Explanation: A) CDC stands for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

B) GYN stands for gynecology.

C) g stands for gram.

D) Correct; it can mean physician assistant, posteroanterior, or pernicious


anemia.

Page Ref: 7

Objective: 4

Level of Diff.: Knowledge


Question Type: Word Building

75) What should you do if you believe an abbreviation has the potential to be
misinterpreted?

A) Use the abbreviation and include a footnote in the document indicating the
correct meaning.

B) Use a different abbreviation for the word or phrase in question.

C) Attach an appendix stating the definition of each abbreviation used in the


document.

D) Spell out the word or phrase and avoid using the abbreviation.

Answer: D

Explanation: A) Footnotes are not typically used in this way.

B) Many words have only one potential abbreviation.

C) Appendices are not typically used in this way.

D) Correct

Page Ref: 6

Objective: 4

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

1.2 Matching Questions

Match the following terms.

A) having 100 steps or degrees

B) the study of the cause(s) of disease


C) a unit of weight

D) pertaining to the armpit

E) profuse sweating

F) determination of the cause and nature of a disease

G) an agent that works against coughing

1) antitussive

Page Ref: 9, 10, 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

2) axillary

Page Ref: 9, 10, 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

3) centigrade

Page Ref: 9, 10, 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building


4) diagnosis

Page Ref: 9, 10, 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

5) diaphoresis

Page Ref: 9, 10, 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

6) gram

Page Ref: 9, 10, 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

7) etiology

Page Ref: 9, 10, 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building


Answers: 1) G 2) D 3) A 4) F 5) E 6) C 7) B

Match the following terms.

A) a prediction of the course of a disease

B) a feeling of discomfort or uneasiness

C) something that is harmful or cancerous

D) sudden, sharp, severe

E) an instrument used to measure degree of heat

F) the sorting and classifying of injuries

G) a new disease

8) neopathy

Page Ref: 8, 12, 13, 14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

9) prognosis

Page Ref: 8, 12, 13, 14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

10) thermometer
Page Ref: 8, 12, 13, 14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

11) triage

Page Ref: 8, 12, 13, 14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

12) acute

Page Ref: 8, 12, 13, 14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

13) malaise

Page Ref: 8, 12, 13, 14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

14) malignant
Page Ref: 8, 12, 13, 14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

Answers: 8) G 9) A 10) E 11) F 12) D 13) B 14) C

Match the word part with its meaning.

A) against

B) before

C) without, not

D) through

E) beside

F) many, much

G) small

H) self

I) bad

J) new

K) away from

15) a-

Page Ref: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13

Objective: 5
Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

16) ab-

Page Ref: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

17) anti-

Page Ref: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

18) auto-

Page Ref: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

19) dia-

Page Ref: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13

Objective: 5
Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

20) mal-

Page Ref: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

21) micro-

Page Ref: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

22) multi-

Page Ref: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

23) neo-

Page Ref: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13

Objective: 5
Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

24) para-

Page Ref: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

25) pro-

Page Ref: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

Answers: 15) C 16) K 17) A 18) H 19) D 20) I 21) G 22) F 23) J 24) E 25) B

Match the word part with its meaning.

A) process

B) together

C) pertaining to

D) recording

E) heat, fire

F) stuck to
G) chemical

H) one-thousandth

I) large

J) armpit

26) syn-

Page Ref: 8-10, 12-14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

27) adhes-

Page Ref: 8-10, 12-14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

28) milli-

Page Ref: 8-10, 12-14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

29) axill-
Page Ref: 8-10, 12-14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

30) chem/o

Page Ref: 8-10, 12-14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

31) macr/o

Page Ref: 8-10, 12-14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

32) pyr/o

Page Ref: 8-10, 12-14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

33) -al
Page Ref: 8-10, 12-14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

34) -graphy

Page Ref: 8-10, 12-14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

35) -ion

Page Ref: 8-10, 12-14

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

Answers: 26) B 27) F 28) H 29) J 30) G 31) I 32) E 33) C 34) D 35) A

1.3 Short Answer Questions

1) Write the correct abbreviation for milligram:

Answer: mg

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9
Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

2) Write the correct abbreviation for obstetrics:

Answer: OB

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

3) Write the correct abbreviation for centigrade:

Answer: C

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

4) Write the correct abbreviation for dermatology:

Answer: Derm

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations


5) Write the correct abbreviation for biopsy:

Answer: Bx

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

6) Write the correct abbreviation for diagnosis:

Answer: Dx

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

7) Write the correct abbreviation for psychology:

Answer: Psych

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

8) Write the correct meaning for Wt:

Answer: weight
Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

9) Write the correct meaning for Bx:

Answer: biopsy

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

10) Write the correct meaning for Dx:

Answer: diagnosis

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

11) Write the correct abbreviation for gram:

Answer: g

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9
Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

12) Write the correct meaning for GYN:

Answer: gynecology

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

13) Write the correct abbreviation for liter:

Answer: L

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

14) Write the correct meaning for mL:

Answer: milliliter

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations


15) ________ is a combination of a root word and a vowel.

Answer: Combining form

Page Ref: 3

Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

16) The term ________ means to fix before or to fix to the beginning of a word.

Answer: prefix

Page Ref: 2

Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

17) The foundation of the word is called the ________.

Answer: root

Page Ref: 2

Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

18) The term ________ may be a syllable or group of syllables united with, or
placed at, the end of a word to alter or modify the meaning of the word or to
create a new word.
Answer: suffix

Page Ref: 3

Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

19) Treatment of disease by using chemical agents is called ________.

Answer: chemotherapy

Page Ref: 10

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Comprehension

Question Type: Word Building

20) ________ means one-millionth of a gram.

Answer: Microgram

Page Ref: 12

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

21) A person with cancer would go to the ________ department.

Answer: oncology

Page Ref: 13
Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Comprehension

Question Type: Branches of Medicine

22) Carrying impulses toward a center is called ________.

Answer: afferent

Page Ref: 8

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

23) The meaning of mcg is ________.

Answer: microgram

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

24) The meaning of the abbreviation L is ________.

Answer: liter

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge


Question Type: Abbreviations

25) The meaning of the abbreviation ENT is ________.

Answer: ear, nose, and throat

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

26) The meaning of the abbreviation Path is ________.

Answer: pathology

Page Ref: 20

Objective: 9

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Abbreviations

27) Carrying impulses away from a center is called ________.

Answer: efferent

Page Ref: 10

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

28) The prefix meaning between is ________.


Answer: inter-

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

29) The suffix -rrhage or ________ means to burst forth or bursting forth.

Answer: -rrhagia

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

30) The suffix for suture is ________.

Answer: -rrhaphy

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

31) The prefix meaning above, beyond, or excessive is ________.

Answer: hyper-, super-, or supra

Page Ref: 5
Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

32) To lead away from the middle is called ________.

Answer: abduct

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

33) Inflammation of a joint is called ________.

Answer: arthritis

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Comprehension

Question Type: Word Building

34) The prefix meaning below, under, or deficient is ________.

Answer: hypo-

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge


Question Type: Word Building

1.4 True/False Questions

1) A combining form is a word root to which a vowel has been added.

Answer: TRUE

Explanation: The combining form is used when it is followed by another root or


combining form or suffix that begins with a consonant.

Page Ref: 3

Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

2) French is the origin for many medical terms.

Answer: FALSE

Explanation: Greek and Latin are the origins for medical terms.

Page Ref: 4

Objective: 1

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Origins

3) Adduct means to lead away from the middle.

Answer: FALSE

Explanation: Abduct means to lead away from the middle.

Page Ref: 5
Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

4) Arteritis is an inflammation of an artery.

Answer: TRUE

Page Ref: 5

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

5) The plural of bursa is bursus.

Answer: FALSE

Explanation: The plural of bursa is bursae.

Page Ref: 6

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Spelling

6) The singular of appendices is appendix.

Answer: TRUE

Page Ref: 6

Objective: 5
Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Spelling

7) The term adhesion means being stuck together.

Answer: TRUE

Page Ref: 8

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

8) Centimeter is 100 steps or degrees.

Answer: FALSE

Explanation: A centimeter is one-hundredth of a meter.

Page Ref: 9

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

9) Afferent means to carry impulses away from a center.

Answer: FALSE

Explanation: Afferent means to carry impulses toward a center.

Page Ref: 8

Objective: 5
Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building

10) Etiology is the study of the cause of disease.

Answer: TRUE

Explanation: Eti/o means cause, and -logy means study of.

Page Ref: 11

Objective: 5

Level of Diff.: Knowledge

Question Type: Word Building


Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
to aspire.” According to the emperor’s opinion, as soon as Louis
Napoleon desired to make himself emperor he would become a
usurper, because he did not possess the divine right—he would be
emperor in fact but never by right; in a word, “a second Louis
Philippe, less the odious character of that scoundrel.”
When the French diplomatic representatives
[1853 a.d.] in St. Petersburg and Warsaw evidenced an
intention to celebrate the 15th of August, the
emperor Nicholas drew up the following resolution: “A public church
service for Napoleon cannot be allowed, because he ceased to be
emperor, being banished and confined to the island of St. Helena.
There is no propriety in celebrating the birthday of the late Napoleon
in our country, whence he was despatched with befitting honour.”
The Napoleonic empire had already transcended the limits which the
emperor Nicholas would at one time have allowed; it was in direct
contradiction to the stipulations of the congress of Vienna, which
formed the basis of the national law of Europe. The emperor’s allies,
however, looked on the matter somewhat differently. Austria and
Prussia recognised Napoleon III; it therefore only remained to the
emperor Nicholas, against his will, to follow their example; but still he
departed from the usually accepted diplomatic forms, and in his letter
to Napoleon III he did not call him brother, but “le bon ami” (good
friend). Soon on the political horizon appeared the Eastern question,
artfully put forward with a secret motive by Napoleon III; his cunning
calculations were justified without delay; the Russian troops crossed
the Pruth in 1853, and occupied the principality, as a guarantee, until
the demands presented to the Ottoman Porte by the emperor
Nicholas were complied with. Austrian ingratitude opened a safe
path for the snares of Anglo-French diplomacy. The Eastern War
began, at first upon Turkish territory and afterwards concentrated
itself in the Crimean peninsula around Sebastopol; France, England,
and afterwards, in 1855, little Sardinia, in alliance with Turkey, took
up arms against Russia; on the side of the allies lay the sympathy of
all neutral Europe, which already dreamed of wresting Russia’s
conquests from her.b
EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE CRIMEAN WAR

The revolution of July, 1830, by threatening Europe with the ideas


then triumphing in France, had tightened the bonds, previously a
little relaxed, between the czar and the two great German powers,
Austria and Prussia. Independently of diplomatic conferences, the
three monarchs had frequent interviews for the purpose of adopting
measures to oppose the invasion of the revolutionary principle. Even
whilst affecting to abandon the west to the dissolution towards which
he felt it was marching, and to regard it as afflicted with approaching
senility, Nicholas by no means lost sight of its development. But the
East, then in combustion, remained the true mark of Russian policy.
A movement was on foot for the overthrow of the declining Ottoman
power, and its substitution by an Arab power, inaugurated by
Muhammed Ali, the pasha of Egypt. France regarded this movement
with no unfriendly eye, but Russia entered a protest. By giving the
most colossal proportions to this Eastern Question, which extended
as far as the countries of central Asia, the situation created grave
embarrassments for the British government. For, to begin with,
when, in 1833, Ibrahim Pasha, at the head of the Egyptian army, was
ready to cross the Taurus and march on Constantinople, within two
months the northern power (summoned to aid by that very sultan
whom Russia had hitherto so greatly humiliated) landed on the
Asiatic coast of the Bosporus a body of fifteen thousand men in
readiness to protect that capital; then the secret treaty of Unkiar-
Skelessi (July 8th, 1833) granted her, as the price of an offensive
and defensive alliance with the Porte, the withdrawal in her exclusive
favour of the prohibition forbidding armed vessels of foreign nations
to enter the waters of Constantinople; finally, by the conclusion of the
Treaty of London July 15th, 1840, which left France, still obstinately
attached to the cause of Muhammed Ali, outside the European
concert, she had the joy of causing the rupture of the entente
cordiale between that country and Great Britain—but only
momentarily, for a new treaty, concluded the 13th of July, 1841,
likewise in London, readmitted the French government to the
concert.
The events of the year 1848, by bringing back the Russians into
Moldavia and Wallachia, afforded Europe new apprehensions
relative to the preservation, growing daily more difficult, of the
Ottoman Empire and the political balance, the latter of which was
seriously threatened if not destroyed by the colossus of the north,
with its population now increased to as much as sixty-five million
souls. But Germany was absorbed by the serious situation of her
own affairs, to which the czar was far from remaining a stranger; and
the latter linked himself by new ties to Austria, in whose favour he
had already renounced his share in the protectorate over the
republic of Cracow, when at the request of the Vienna cabinet he
marched against insurgent Hungary (June, 1849) an army which
beat the insurrectionary forces, compelled them to submission, and
thus closed the abyss in which one of the oldest monarchies of
Christendom was about to be engulfed. Then, in 1850, chosen as
arbiter between Austria and Prussia, who were on the point of a
rupture, the czar turned the scale in favour of Austria, and kept
Prussia in check by threats.
“Austria will soon astonish the world by her immense ingratitude”:
this famous prophetic saying of Prince Felix of Schwarzenberg,
prime minister of the young emperor Francis Joseph, was not slow of
accomplishment. The ingratitude was a necessity which the history
of Austria explains; for in her case, as for the rest of Europe, the
continued and immoderate aggrandisement of Russia was the
greatest of dangers. This leads us, in finishing this general glance
over the history of the period, to say a word on the complications
which, at the moment of the empire’s attaining its apogee,
commenced for it a new phase.
We have elsewhere explained the final cause of the decay of
Turkey. That decay was consummated in favour of the northern
neighbour who followed with attentive gaze the progress of what she
called the death struggle. Certain words pronounced by the autocrat
on this subject, and consigned to diplomatic despatches, had, not
long ago, a great circulation. But the influence of Russia was
counterbalanced by that of France and that of Great Britain. The
cabinets of Paris and Vienna obtained important concessions, we
might say diplomatic triumphs, from Constantinople—the one in
relation to the Holy Places, the other on the subject of Montenegro.
Russian jealousy immediately awoke. According to the czar, Turkey
had a choice between two things only: she must regard Prussia as
either her greatest friend or her greatest enemy. To remind her of
this, and to neutralise the embassy of the prince of Linanges on
behalf of Austria, Nicholas sent Prince Menshikov, one of his
ministers and confidants, to Constantinople. Arriving February 28th,
1853, Menshikov exhibited a haughty and irritable demeanour; and,
after astonishing the Divan by his noisy opposition, put forward
pretensions relative to the Holy Places which were only designed to
lull the vigilance of England, but were soon followed by others more
serious and exorbitant; for they amounted to nothing less than the
restoration to the czar of the protectorate over all the sultan’s
subjects professing the Græco-Russian worship—that is to say the
great majority of the inhabitants of Turkey in Europe.

OUTBREAK OF THE CRIMEAN WAR (1853 A.D.)

In vain the Divan protested; in vain the friendly powers interceded.


Unable to obtain the satisfaction he was demanding with the extreme
of violence, the Russian ambassador extraordinary quitted the
Bosporous with menace on his lips. And, in effect, on the 2nd of July,
the czar’s troops crossed the Pruth to occupy, contrary to all treaty
stipulations, the two Danubian principalities. Nicholas was not
prepared for war and did not expect to be obliged to have recourse
to that last appeal; he hoped to triumph over the Divan by audacity.
Moreover, he did not think the western powers were in a position to
come to an understanding and to act in common. He was mistaken:
Turkey’s death struggle did not prevent her from making a supreme
effort to sell her life dearly, if it were impossible for her to save it; and
on the 26th of September the sultan declared war on the aggressor.
Hostilities began in the course of the month of October, first on the
Danube and afterwards in Asia, where a surprise made the Turks
masters of the little maritime fort of St. Nicholas or Chefketil. The
Porte was not long abandoned to its own resources, for the time of
political torpor in regard to the territorial aggrandisement of the
Muscovite colossus had gone by; the eyes of all were at last opened
and a European crisis was inevitable. At that moment, the fleets of
France and England were already at the entrance of the
Dardanelles; and even before the end of October these fine naval
armies passed the straits under the authority of a firman, and
approached Constantinople. In consequence of the position taken up
by these two states, the autocrat broke off relations with them in the
beginning of February, 1854. On the 21st of the same month he
informed his subjects of the fact in a manifesto, recalling to some
extent, by its tone, by its biblical references, and its exalted
language, the Treaty of the Holy Alliance. It may be worth while to
reproduce here the following passage:
“Against Russia fighting for orthodoxy England and France enter
the lists as champions of the enemies of Christianity. But Russia will
not fail in her sacred vocation; if the frontier is invaded by the enemy
we are ready to resist him with the energy of which our ancestors
have bequeathed us the example. Are we not to-day still the same
people whose valour was attested by the memorable displays of the
year 1812? May the Most High aid us to prove it by our deeds. In this
hope, and fighting for our oppressed brothers who confess the faith
of Christ, Russia will have but one heart and voice to cry: ‘God, our
Saviour! whom have we to fear? Let Christ arise and let his enemies
be scattered!’”

FRANCE, ENGLAND, AND TURKEY IN ALLIANCE

Thus, by an almost miraculous concourse of


[1854 a.d.] circumstances, an alliance was formed between
France and England, those two ancient and
ardent rivals. Preceded by a formal alliance with the Porte (March
12th), it was signed in London, April 10th, 1854. This was not all: this
memorable document was immediately submitted to the
governments of Austria and Prussia and sanctioned by a protocol
signed at Vienna by the four powers, by which the justice of the
cause sustained by those of the west was solemnly proclaimed.
Austria and Prussia laid down the conditions of their eventual
participation in the war in another treaty, that of Berlin, of the 20th of
April, 1854, to which the Germanic Confederation on its side gave its
adhesion. Finally at Baïadji-Keui, on the 14th of June, 1854, the
great Danubian power also concluded a treaty with the Ottoman
Porte, in virtue of which she was authorised to enter into military
occupation of the principalities, whether she should have previously
expelled the Russian army or whether the latter should of its own will
have decided to evacuate them. Russia was in the most complete
isolation; the Scandinavian states, who had hitherto been her allies,
declared themselves neutral; an insurrection in her favour, which
was preparing in Servia, was prevented; that of the Greeks, openly
favoured by King Otto, was stifled. The Turks, thus effectively
protected, were able to turn all their forces on the frontiers, and to
prove by heroic acts that they had not lost all the bravery of their
ancestors. In return for Europe’s efforts in favour of the integrity of
his empire, and in order to ward off the reproach they might incur by
supporting the cause of the crescent against a Christian state, the
sultan as early as the 6th of June, 1854, published an edict or irade,
by which he improved in a notable manner the condition of the rayas,
and prepared for their civil freedom, as well as for a complete
remodelling of the laws which, governing up to that day the internal
government of the Ottoman Empire, seemed to render its
preservation almost impossible.
Thus that movement of expansion to which Russia had been
impelled during four centuries, and which by conquest after
conquest, due either to diplomacy or the sword, had made Russian
power the bugbear of Europe, finds itself suddenly arrested.
“Republican or Cossack,” was the famous prognostic of Napoleon.c
The immense superiority of the marines belonging to the allies
made it possible to attack Russia on every sea. They bombarded the
military port of Odessa on the Black Sea (April 22nd, 1854), but
respected the city and the commercial port; the Russian
establishments in the Caucasus had been burned by the Russians
themselves. They blockaded Kronstadt on the Baltic, landed on the
islands of Åland, and took the fortress of Bomarsund (August 16th,
1854).f
THE TAKING OF BOMARSUND

This fight had lasted from four in the morning until four in the
evening, when the allies saw a white flag over the tower battlements.
The commander asked an armistice of two hours, which was
granted. He recommenced firing before the interval was over. The
French batteries overthrew the armaments, whilst the Vincennes
chasseurs acting as free-shooters attacked the cannoneers.
Resistance ceased towards evening and the tower yielded at three
o’clock in the morning. One officer and thirty men were made
prisoners. On Monday no notice was taken of provocation from the
fortress, but preparations were made for the morrow.
On the morning of August 15th the English attacked the north
tower. In six hours three of their large cannon had been able to
pierce the granite and make a breach of twenty feet. The north tower
was not long in surrendering; four English and two French vessels
directed their fire on the large fortress. A white flag was hoisted on
the rampart nearest the sea. Two officers of the fleet were sent to the
governor, who said, “I yield to the marine.” This officer had only a few
dead and seventy wounded, but smoke poured in through the badly
constructed windows, bombs burst in the middle of the fortress,
without mentioning the carbine fire of the free-shooters. A longer
resistance was useless.g
In 1855 the Russians bombarded Sveaborg. The allies attacked
the fortified monastery of Solovetski, in the White Sea, and in the
sea of Okhotsk they blockaded the Siberian ports, destroyed the
arsenals of Petropavlovsk, and disturbed the tranquillity of the
Russians on the river Amur.
Menaced by the Austrian concentration in Transylvania, and by the
landing of English and French troops at Gallipoli and Varna, the
Russians made a last and vain attempt to gain possession of
Silistria, which they had held in a state of siege from April to July at
the cost of a great number of men. In the Dobrudja an expedition
directed by the French was without result from a military point of
view, the soldiers being thinned out by cholera and paludal fevers.
The Russians decided to evacuate the principalities, which were at
once occupied by the Austrians in accord with Europe and the
sultan. The war on the Danube was at an end.

THE SEAT OF WAR TRANSFERRED TO THE CRIMEA (1854


A.D.)

The war in the Crimea was just about to commence.f Siege-trains


were ordered from England and France, transports were prepared,
and other preparations were gradually made. But the cholera
attacked both the armies and the fleets, which for two months lay
prostrate under this dreadful scourge.
In the Black Sea, meantime, the preparations for the Crimean
expedition were pressed forward with greater energy in proportion as
the cholera abated. But many successive delays occurred. Originally
the invading force was to have sailed on the 15th of August; then the
20th was the day; then the 22nd; then the 26th; then the 1st of
September (by which time the French siege-train would have arrived
at Varna); then the 2nd of September. At length all was ready; and
58,000, out of 75,000 men, cavalry, infantry, and artillery, were
embarked at Baltjik on the 7th. The French numbered 25,000, the
English the same; and there was a picked corps of about 8,000
Turks. In a flotilla of between two and three hundred vessels, this
first and much larger part of the united army were transported up the
coast to Fidonisi, or the Island of Serpents; from which point to Cape
Tarkhan, in the Crimea, they would make both the shortest and the
most sheltered passage. Being reviewed and found all ready at
Fidonisi, the armada took its second departure on the 11th, and
reached without accident the destined shore on the 14th. On that
day the troops were landed prosperously at “Old Fort,” some twenty
miles beyond Eupatoria, or Koslov, within four or five easy days’
march from Sebastopol. Upon this great fortress the columns were at
once directed; while the transports returned in haste to fetch the
reserves, amounting to about 15,000 men.
Contrary to the expectation of the allies, Prince Menshikov, who
commanded in the Crimea, had resolved not to oppose their landing,
but to await them on the left, or southern, bank of the river Alma. The
nature of his position may be gathered from Lord Raglan’s despatch.
He says:
“In order that the gallantry exhibited by her majesty’s troops, and
the difficulties they had to meet, may be fairly estimated, I deem it
right, even at the risk of being considered tedious, to endeavour to
make you acquainted with the position the Russians had taken up.
“It crossed the great road about two miles and a half from the sea,
and is very strong by nature. The bold and almost precipitous range
of heights, of from 350 to 400 feet, that from the sea closely border
the left bank of the river, here ceases and formed their left, and
turning thence round a great amphitheatre or wide valley, terminates
at a salient pinnacle where their right rested, and whence the
descent to the plain was more gradual. The front was about two
miles in extent. Across the mouth of this great opening is a lower
ridge at different heights, varying from 60 to 150 feet, parallel to the
river, and at distances from it of from 600 to 800 yards. The river
itself is generally fordable for troops, but its banks are extremely
rugged, and in most parts steep; the willows along it had been cut
down, in order to prevent them from affording cover to the attacking
party, and in fact everything had been done to deprive an assailant
of any species of shelter. In front of the position on the right bank, at
about 200 yards from the Alma, is the village of Burliuk, and near it a
timber bridge, which had been partly destroyed by the enemy. The
high pinnacle and ridge before alluded to was the key of the position,
and consequently, there the greatest preparations had been made
for defence. Half-way down the height and across its front was a
trench of the extent of some hundred yards, to afford cover against
an advance up the even steep slope of the hill. On the right, and a
little retired, was a powerful covered battery, armed with heavy guns,
which flanked the whole of the right of the position. Artillery, at the
same time, was posted at the points that best commanded the
passage of the river and its approaches generally. On the slopes of
these hills (forming a sort of table land) were placed dense masses
of the enemy’s infantry, whilst on the height above was his great
reserve, the whole amounting, it is supposed, to between 45,000 and
50,000 men.”
It was against this fortress—for it was little less—the British,
French, and Turkish forces were led, having broken up their camp at
Kimishi on the 19th of September. The way led along continual
steppes, affording no shelter from the burning heat of the sun, nor
water to assuage the intolerable thirst suffered by all. The only relief
was afforded by the muddy stream of Bulganak, which the men
drank with avidity. That day an insignificant skirmish took place
between a body of Cossacks and the light division. On passing over
the brow of a hill, the former were discovered drawn up in order. A
slight fire was opened, which wounded three or four of the allies, but
a gun drove up and threw a shell with such wonderful precision in
the midst of the enemy that above a dozen were knocked over by
this one projectile, and the Cossacks speedily disappeared.d

THE BATTLE OF THE ALMA (1854 A.D.)

The allies’ plan of aggression was quite as simple as the Russian


plan of defence. It consisted in turning the enemy’s two wings and
then overwhelming them by a front attack. On the extreme right
General Bosquet, in advance of the rest of the army, was to
approach rapidly the Alma, cross it at a point not far from its mouth,
ascend the slopes at all costs, then fall suddenly on the Russians’
left, surround them, and throw them back on the centre. This
movement carried out, Canrobert’s and Prince Napoleon’s divisions,
supported by a portion of the English army, would cross the river,
climb the heights between Almatamak and Burliuk, and make the
grand attack. At the same moment the English army at the left of the
French lines would endeavour to turn the enemy’s right, and thus
secure the day. Forey’s division would remain in reserve ready to
help either the weaker columns or those in immediate danger, as the
case might be. On the evening of the 19th of September Field-
Marshal Saint-Arnaud had sent to each division a tracing of the
proposed order of battle. The plan was so simple that the soldiers
had already anticipated and guessed it. At nightfall they gathered
round the camp fires and discussed the chances of the plan with
gleeful excitement. They pointed out to each other the Russian camp
fires, scintillating dots of light shining out on the hill sides, and tried
to reckon up the enemy’s number by the number of lights. A good
deal of imagination mingled with their calculations, but the results did
not frighten them, they were convinced that the following day they
would rest victorious on the plateau.
At the first sounds of the reveille the troops of Bosquet’s division
were a-foot and ready to start, very proud of the place assigned
them by the confidence of the commander-in-chief. The fog having
somewhat lifted, at seven o’clock they left the banks of the Bulganak
and marched off in quick time towards the Alma. They were not more
than two kilometres distant from it when one of the field-marshal’s
aides-de-camp arrived hot-foot with orders to halt, as the English
were not ready. Obedience was yielded with some degree of
unwillingness, which grew to impatience as the halt was prolonged. It
was already half-past eleven when the march was resumed. The
division was formed into two columns; Autemarre’s brigade marched
towards Almatamak, where the French scouts had just discovered a
ford; the other brigade, under Bouat, turned towards the sea, so as
to cross the river near its mouth by a sand bank shown them by a
steam pinnace. From their dominating positions the Russians could
see this manœuvre, but they paid no attention to it, judging that
nature had provided sufficient defence for them on that side. They
looked upon the whole of this movement as merely a diversion, and
concentrated all their watchfulness on the main body of the army,
which had hitherto remained motionless three kilometres to the rear
of the Alma.
In the mean time Autemarre’s brigade, close on Almatamak and
hitherto hidden from the enemy by the escarpments of the
neighbouring cliff, began to cross the Alma. The 3rd zouaves were
the first over the ford, and began with amazing “go” to climb the
plateau. This ascent, which the Russians, heavily equipped and
accustomed to the level, believed impossible, was relatively easy for
men accustomed time out of mind to the foot-tracks of African
mountains. It was wonderful to see these strong, agile soldiers
springing up the slopes, giving a helping hand to one another,
clinging to tufts of grass and scrub, and profiting by the smallest
foothold. The Algerian sharp-shooters followed, then the 50th foot.
The most difficult matter was to get the artillery over, and the boldest
faltered before such a task. By a sheer miracle of stout-heartedness
and energy they managed to hoist several pieces the whole length of
the escarpments. Suddenly the zouaves appeared at the top of the
hill, before the very eyes of the astonished Russians, and by a brisk
fire drove off the enemy’s vedettes. In another moment Algerian
sharp-shooters and men of the 50th foot climbed the last slopes in
their turn; then the field guns, dragged up to the heights, were placed
in line. At this identical moment Bouat’s brigade, which had been
delayed in crossing the bar, appeared on the extreme right and
began to scale the cliffs nearest the sea. Only the second battalion
of the Minsk infantry occupied this position, which had hitherto been
held impregnable. Debouching from the little village of Aklese they
ran forward; but confused by the fantastic aspect of this unexpected
enemy, flurried by the gaps made in their ranks by the French long-
range guns, they wasted no time over doubling back. Soon, running
away altogether, they threw themselves on the Russian reserves,
followed by the shots of French artillery and by the missiles thrown
on to the plateau by the fleet at anchor near the shore.
Saint-Arnaud, from his position in the rear of the Alma, had
watched the zouaves climb the hill. When they had disappeared over
the crest, he had listened anxiously for the sharp-shooters to open
fire. Soon the roar of cannon was heard, but it was difficult to believe
that the artillery was already engaged. “Are they French guns or
Russian guns?” asked the staff-officers grouped round the
commander-in-chief. But the field-marshal joyfully cried: “I assure
you it is Bosquet’s cannon; he has reached the heights.” Then
searching the distance with his glasses: “I can see red trousers. Ah!
there I recognise my African veteran Bosquet!” Summoning his
generals, Saint-Arnaud gave then the final instructions. The sound of
the guns had revived his failing strength; his voice was as strong as
in his palmiest days, and his face was lighted up with confidence, a
last and touching reflection of his warrior spirit. By a gesture he
indicated to his officers the course of the river and the hills which
shut in the horizon: “Gentlemen,” he said, “this battle will be known
as the battle of the Alma.”
It being now one o’clock in the afternoon, the front attack was
immediately begun. The first division, under command of General
Canrobert, held the right; to the left was drawn up the 3rd division
commanded by Prince Napoleon. Following the common plan, the
latter was to attach itself to the English right, but it did so only
imperfectly, on account of the slowness of the allies. Set in motion
simultaneously, the two French divisions marched towards the Alma.
This time the Russians had anticipated the attack and were ready to
repulse it. Sheltered by clumps of trees, enclosing walls, and the
gardens bordering the river, innumerable sharp-shooters directed a
well-sustained fire against the enemy, and, in addition, a battery
established on the edge of the plateau covered the plain with
missiles. Overwhelmed by this murderous fire the French troops
halted. But the artillery of the 1st and 3rd divisions shelled the
ravines, compelling the Russian sharp-shooters to retreat against a
high bank on the left, and by thus diverting their attention enabled
the rest of the French army to advance as far as the Alma. Laying
down their knapsacks the soldiers themselves sounded the river with
branches of trees and boldly crossed wherever it appeared
practicable. Towards two in the afternoon the 3rd division effected a
crossing not far from Burluk. As to Canrobert’s division, it had,
almost entirely, already found a footing on the left bank a little above
Almatamak. His first battalions had already reached the heights and
slanted off to the right so as to join hands with Bosquet’s division.
It was quite time. When Prince Menshikov was informed of the
appearance of Bosquet on the heights near the mouth of the Alma,
he at first refused to believe the news and only the roar of the
cannon had convinced him. Realising the greatness of the danger,
the Russian commander-in-chief immediately hurried to reinforce his
left flank, which in his excess of confidence he had left almost
uncovered. As the brigades of Autemarre and Bouat took up a
position, fresh Russian troops debouched on the western side of the
plateau. First a battery of light artillery, which arrived before the
infantry it was summoned to support, lost half its number in a few
moments; then four battalions of the Moscow infantry regiment
supported by another battery. Shortly after this occurred, Prince
Menshikov, having himself visited the scene of action, decided to
make a fresh attempt. By his orders three battalions of the Minsk
regiment, four squadrons of hussars and two batteries of Cossacks
were drawn from the reserve to afford active support to the troops
already engaged. Happily for the French these troops arrived only in
driblets, so that their impact was weakened by being broken up.
Even so their little main body, launched on the plateau with no
retreat possible, found itself in a position almost as critical as it was
glorious. If it continued to penetrate into the Russian flank victory
was assured, but if it faltered it had no other prospect than to be
brought to bay on one escarpment after another and routed in the
valley, beyond hope of salvation. The Russian troops were not more
numerous than the French, but the twelve guns of the latter could
scarcely hope to hold out against the forty pieces which the
Russians had brought into this part of the field. On receiving
overnight the commander-in-chief’s instructions, General Bosquet
had replied: “You can count on me, but remember I cannot hold out
for more than two hours.”
The general weariness was great and moreover the ammunition
was giving out. With growing anguish Bosquet turned his gaze
towards the plain, waiting for the general attack which was to lighten
his task. His joy may be imagined when he heard on the left, above
Almatamak, the sharp crack of the zouaves’ rifles, and saw
appearing over the edge of the plateau General Canrobert’s first
battalions.
Help was at hand, and with help the almost certainty of victory. At
that very moment a happy inspiration of Saint-Arnaud’s rendered
assurance sure. Judging that the moment had arrived for calling on
his reserves, he sent orders to General Forey to bring up one of his
brigades to succour Bosquet, and with the other to support General
Canrobert. From that moment the tide of battle set steadily against
the Russians. Surrounded on their left wing, outflanked in their
centre, threatened by the French reserves, they yielded step by step,
no doubt with fearful reprisals, but finally they retired. It was in vain
that the Minsk and Moscow
regiments, retreating obliquely,
tried to resist both Bosquet’s
and Canrobert’s divisions; these
brave endeavours only
prolonged the resistance without
affecting the result. After losing
the greater number of their
leaders they were compelled to
retreat behind the heights and to
retire to a tower for telegraphic
communication which marked
the enemy’s centre. There a
final bloody engagement took
place. At last the flags of the 3rd
zouaves and the 39th foot were
Alexander Sergevitch Menshikov
hoisted on the top of the tower,
(1787-1869) signal of the victory which the
Russians thenceforward never
disputed.h
The part taken by the British troops in the final assault is thus
described by the special correspondent of the Times:
“The British line was struggling through the river and up the
heights in masses, firm, indeed, but mowed down by the murderous
fire of the batteries and by grape, round shot, shell, canister, case
shot, and musketry, from some of the guns of the central battery, and
from an immense and compact mass of Russian infantry. Then
commenced one of the most bloody and determined struggles in the
annals of war. The 2nd division, led by Sir De L. Evans in the most
dashing manner, crossed the stream on the right. The 7th Fusiliers,
led by Colonel Yea, were swept down by fifties. The 55th, 30th, and
95th, led by Brigadier Pennefather, who was in the thickest of the
fight, cheering on his men, again and again were checked indeed,
but never drew back in their onward progress, which was marked by
a fierce roll of Minié musketry; and Brigadier Adams, with the 41st,
47th, and 49th, bravely charged up the hill, and aided them in the
battle. Sir George Brown, conspicuous on a grey horse, rode in front
of his light division, urging them with voice and gesture. Gallant
fellows! they were worthy of such a gallant chief. The 7th, diminished
by one-half, fell back to re-form their columns lost for the time; the
23rd, with eight officers dead and four wounded, were still rushing to
the front, aided by the 19th, 33rd, 77th, and 88th. Down went Sir
George in a cloud of dust in front of the battery. He was soon up and
shouted, ‘23rd, I’m all right. Be sure I’ll remember this day,’ and led
them on again, but in the shock produced by the fall of their chief the
gallant regiment suffered terribly while paralysed for a moment.
Meantime the Guards, on the right of the light division, and the
brigade of Highlanders were storming the heights on the left. Their
line was almost as regular as though they were in Hyde Park.
Suddenly a tornado of round and grape rushed through from the
terrible battery, and a roar of musketry from behind thinned their front
ranks by dozens. It was evident that we were just able to contend
against the Russians, favoured as they were by a great position. At
this very time an immense mass of Russian infantry were seen
moving down towards the battery. They halted. It was the crisis of
the day. Sharp, angular, and solid, they looked as if they were cut out
of the solid rock. It was beyond all doubt that if our infantry, harassed
and thinned as they were, got into the battery they would have to
encounter again a formidable fire, which they were but ill calculated
to bear. Lord Raglan saw the difficulties of the situation. He asked if
it would be possible to get a couple of guns to bear on these
masses. The reply was, ‘Yes,’ and an artillery officer (Colonel Dixon)
brought up two guns to fire on the Russian squares. The first shot
missed, but the next, and the next, and the next cut through the
ranks so cleanly, and so keenly, that a clear lane could be seen for a
moment through the square. After a few rounds the square became
broken, wavered to and fro, broke, and fled over the brow of the hill,
leaving behind it six or seven distinct lines of dead, lying as close as
possible to each other, marking the passage of the fatal messengers.
This act relieved our infantry of a deadly incubus, and they continued
their magnificent and fearful progress up the hill. The duke
encouraged his men by voice and example, and proved himself
worthy of his proud command and of the royal race from which he
comes. ‘Highlanders,’ said Sir C. Campbell, ere they came to the
charge, ‘don’t pull a trigger till you’re within a yard of the Russians!’
They charged, and well they obeyed their chieftain’s wish; Sir Colin
had his horse shot under him, but his men took the battery at a
bound. The Russians rushed out, and left multitudes of dead behind
them. The Guards had stormed the right of the battery ere the
Highlanders got into the left, and it is said the Scots Fusilier Guards
were the first to enter. The second and light division crowned the
heights. The French turned the guns on the hill against the flying
masses, which the cavalry in vain tried to cover. A few faint struggles
from the scattered infantry, a few rounds of cannon and musketry
and the enemy fled to the southeast, leaving three generals, three
guns, 700 prisoners, and 4,000 wounded behind them. The battle of
the Alma was won. It is won with a loss of nearly 3,000 killed and
wounded on our side. The Russians’ retreat was covered by their
cavalry, but if we had had an adequate force we could have captured
many guns and multitudes of prisoners.”
It appears from papers found in Prince Menshikov’s carriage, that
he had counted on holding his position on the Alma for at least three
weeks. He had erected scaffolds from which his ladies might view
the military exploits during the period of obstruction he had provided
for the invading force, but he was hurried away in the midst of a
flying army, in a little more than three hours.

THE SEIZURE OF BALAKLAVA (1854 A.D.)

Without sufficient cavalry, and having exhausted the ammunition of


the artillery, the allies did not pursue the defeated foe; but rested for
a couple of days, to recruit the able-bodied, succour the wounded,
and bury the dead. Then they went forward towards Sebastopol. A
change now took place, as remarkable an incident as any in the
campaign. Learning that the enemy had established a work of some
force on the Belbek, and that this river could not readily be rendered
a means of communication with the fleet, and calculating that
preparations would be made for the defence of Sebastopol chiefly on
the north side, the commanders resolved to change the line of
operations, to turn the whole position of Sebastopol, and establish
themselves at Balaklava. After resting for a couple of days, they
started on the march, turned to the left after the first night’s bivouac,
and struck across a woody country, in which the troops had to steer
their way by compass; regained an open road from Bagtcheserai to
Balaklava; encountered there at Khutor Mackenzia (Mackenzie’s
Farm) a part of the Russian army, which fled in consternation at the
unexpected meeting; and were in possession of Balaklava on the
26th—within four days after leaving the heights above the Alma.
Thus an important post was occupied without a blow.
Balaklava is a close port, naturally cut by the waters in the living
rock; so deep that the bowsprit of a ship at anchor can almost be
touched on shore, so strong that the force possessing it could retain
communication with the sea in spite of any enemy. It is a proof of
Menshikov’s want of foresight, or of his extreme weakness after the
battle of the 20th, that Balaklava was left without effectual defence.
The change of operations reminds one of Nelson’s manœuvre at the
Nile, in attacking the enemy on the shore side, where the ships were
logged with lumber and unprepared for action.
By this date, however, the allies were destined to sustain a grave
loss, in the departure of Marshal Saint-Arnaud. The French
commander-in-chief had succeeded in three achievements, each
one of which would be sufficient to mark the great soldier. He had
thrown his forces into the battle on the Alma with all the ardour of
which his countrymen are capable, but with that perfect command
which the great general alone retains. He had succeeded in exciting
the soldierly fire of the French, and yet in preserving the friendliest
feelings towards their rivals and allies, the English. He had
succeeded in retaining his place on horseback, notwithstanding
mortal agonies that would have subdued the courage, or at least the
physical endurance, of any other man. Many can meet death,
numbers can sustain torture; but the power of holding out in action
against the depressing and despairing misgivings of internal
maladies, is a kind of resolution which nature confers upon very few
indeed, and amongst those very few Marshal Saint-Arnaud will be
ranked as one of the most distinguished. He was succeeded in the
command of the French army by General Canrobert, and died at sea
on the 29th. By this event Lord Raglan became commander-in-chief
of the allied forces in the Crimea.

THE ADVANCE ON SEBASTOPOL

Had Marshal Saint-Arnaud lived, it is hardly to be doubted that he


would have attempted to take Sebastopol by the summary process
of breaching and storming instead of the slower one of a regular
siege. The former plan might have been successful, for it is now
known, upon the authority of the Russians themselves, that when the
allies first broke ground before the fortress its preparations for
resistance were very incomplete. On the other hand, events have too
painfully demonstrated that the force with which the siege was
undertaken was totally inadequate, both in numbers and weight of
metal. It was not sufficient to invest the place on every side, or to
hinder the garrison of one of the strongest fortresses in the world
from receiving unlimited reinforcements and supplies of all kinds.
Hence, to use General Peyronnet Thompson’s homely but very apt
illustration, the operations before Sebastopol have hitherto been like
the work of drawing a badger out of one end of a box, with an
interminable series of badgers entering at the other.
The position occupied by the English before Sebastopol was to the
right of the French, at a distance of six miles from their ships. They
held the summit of a ridge, whence at long range, they could fire with
some effect on the Russian outworks; but as they descended the
slope, their force was broken in two or three parts, while they were
exposed to a fire like that which destroyed so many brave men at the
Alma. The French, on the left, rested on Cape Chersonesus, and
were within three miles of their ships, in a position where, though
they might suffer from the fire of the garrison, they were protected
from the attacks of the Russian army in the field. The attack on the
place by the land batteries and by the ships began on the 17th of
October. The Russians had closed the entrance to the harbour by
sinking two ships of the fine and two frigates (they subsequently
sank all the rest of their fleet), and the fire of the allied ships at long
range produced so very little effect, whilst the casualties sustained
by them were so disproportionate to the damage they inflicted, that
the experiment was not repeated.
Eight days afterwards the Russians in turn became the assailants.
A large reinforcement having been received under Liprandi, that
general was detached to the Tchernaia with some 30,000 troops to
attack our rear. The peculiarity of the position of the allied army
facilitated its efforts. It has already been explained that Balaklava is
at some distance from the lines of the besiegers. The road
connecting the two runs through a gorge in the heights which
constitute the rear of the British position, and which overlook the
small grassy plain that lies to the north of the inlet of Balaklava. The
possession of the port and the connecting road are essential to the
success of the siege. To defend them, Lord Raglan had placed a
body of marines and sailors with some heavy guns on the heights
above the village and landing place of Balaklava; beneath the
heights he had stationed the 93rd Highlanders, under Sir Colin
Campbell, who barred the road down to the village. The plain
running northward towards the Tchernaia is intersected by a low,
irregular ridge, about two miles and a half from the village, and
running nearly at right angles to the rear of the heights on the
northwestern slopes of which lay the British army. This ridge in the
plain was defended by four redoubts, intervening between the
Tchernaia and the British cavalry encamped on the southern part of
the plain; and the rising ground in their rear was held by the
zouaves, who had entrenched themselves at right angles with the
redoubts. The extreme right of our position was on the road to
Kamara; the centre about Kadakoi, with the Turkish redoubts in front;
the left on the eastern slopes of the high lands running up to the
Inkerman ravine.

THE BATTLE OF BALAKLAVA

The object of the Russians was to turn the right and seize
Balaklava, burn the shipping in the port, and, cutting off our
communication with the sea, establish themselves in our rear. To

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