When was the position of Surgeon General created?

Factual Questions
1

How long have we had a Surgeon General and what prompted the creation of that post? What exactly does that job entail?

Just curious.

Thanks.

2

1871, to head up the (mechant) Marine Hospital Service that was renamed to the U.S. Public Health Service in 1912. That is why his uniform looks naval.

USPHS used to have a primary job of keeping plague, typhus, dyusentery, etc. quarantined on incoming merchant vessels.

3

The Master Speaks: Why does the U.S. Surgeon General wear a uniform?