PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 



In April, 1865, the war of the rebellion was bronghftoa close by the surrender of 

 the confederate armies to Generals Grant and Sherman. As a consequence, the further 

 services of the boards of enrollment became unnecessary. It seemed obvious to the 

 chief medical officeroftheProvost-Marshal-Generiil'sBureau that, before severing his offi- 

 cial relations with the surgeons who had so faithfully striven to fullill the purposes of 

 the enrollment-law, it would be of the highest importance to obtain from such expe- 

 rienced officers their deliberate judgment upon the fitness and sufficiency of its provisions. 

 These gentlemen were all men of standing and repute in their j^rofession, and had given 

 tlieir time and talents to an arduous and uncongenial work, from motives both of 

 patriotism and of professional zeal. In many instances, the busiest or most eminent prac- 

 titioners of a district consented to serve upon the enrollment-boards, though to the 

 detriment of their private fortunes, being determined that capable men should be fur- 

 nished to the Government in its need; and; with thatobject, they devoted their utmost skill, 

 and their personal knowledge of the inhabitants of their district, to the task. 



In addition to the valuable experience tints acquired, it was seen that the familiarity 

 with the local causes of disease that was likely to be possessed by these gentlemeft 

 would enable them, to contribute important additions to medical geography. 



Influenced by these views, a circular, of which the following is a copy, was sent to 

 every surgeon in the service of the Bureau : 



War Department, Provost-Marshal-General's Bureau, 



W asMngton, D. C, May I, ISOo. 

 Doctor: The Provost-Marshal-Geiieral directs that you caretully [irepaic and Ibiward to this 

 ofJice a writtea report, giving, as the result of your txperience, information upon the following sub- 

 jects : 



1. Your experience in the examination of men for military service, and number examined, as 

 near as can be ascertained. 



2. General geogra|)hical description of your district, with prevalent diseases, and causes con- 

 ducive thereto ; general character of its inhabitants, their modes of life, and occupations. 



3. Eeasons why any particular diseases or disabilities have disqualified a greater ratio per 

 thousand froui military service. 



4. Your views in reference to the different se(;tious of Paragraph 85,' Eevised Regulations Pro- 

 vost-Marshal General's Bureau, and wiiat (;hangcs you would recommend. 



5. State, in minute detail, jour metliod of examining men. 



G. The number of men that can be physically examined per day with accuracy. 

 7. Mention the frauds most to be guardi'd against which are practiced by drafted and enrolled 

 men to escape, and by substitutes and recruits to enter, the service, and any other obstacles you 



' Paragraph 85 euiimorated the diseases which were to exempt from service. It will be found, quoted in full, at lin .:<! 

 Ivii of the IntroilucDioii to this work. 



21 



