1()8 REPORTS OF EXAMINJNG SURGEONS. 



7.85;' for a later period, Lagueau represents it as varying' from 1.24 to 19.17, with a 

 mean rate of ().84.~ 



There are certain defects or disorders which have hitherto kept their place on the 

 list of causes for exemption from the belief that they were likely to impede the soldier's 

 capacity for marching. Flat-feet, knock-knees, bow-legs, varicocele, and varicose 

 veins are the chief of these. In an important discussion in the Paris Academy of 

 Medicine, it was urged by Brocathat these defects should no longer be held as disqual- 

 ifying, since the necessity of long marches is well-nigh abolished by the use made of 

 railway transportation. He argued that in waifare of the present day there is such an 

 advantage obtained by the power of conveying troops rapidly, that the possession or even 

 construction of a railroad on the line of communication becomes a strategic necessity.^ 

 Tliis is doubtless true of Europe, and it was realized to a great extent by our Govern- 

 ment, also, in the late war ; so that it became necessary to create a sub-bureau for the 

 direction and control of military railroads. But the main resource of our generals was 

 in the maiching capacity of their men ; and, for sach achievements as Sherman's 

 progress from Atlanta' to Savannah, no other dependence could have sufficed. There 

 seems to be no reason, however, why men with flat-feet, bow-legs, or similar defects, 

 should not be enlisted for the cavalry. 



It has been also suggested that some affections of the sight which are now held to 

 be disqualifying need to be reconsidered in the preparation of a future code. Strabis- 

 mus and myopia have caused much debate ; the latter defect being very prevalent in 

 Europe.' The loss of the left eye, or of the sight of it, does not necessarily prevent 

 a man from being a good marksman. Larrey justly observes that in taking aim one 

 eye is always closed.^ The reports from examining-surgeons in California contain 

 decided opinions on this point, and urge the folly of e.'xluding one-eyed men, who, on 

 the frontiers, are often famous as marksmen. They state that a man who has lost the 

 right eye, even, soon acquires the habit of aiming with the other. It must be borne in 

 mind, however, that such men are certain to prove deficient in drill, as they cannot see 

 properly to preserve distance or to "dress up" in line. 



Hare-lip,^ stammering, and baldness, are defects which do not preclude excellent 

 service. A man whose speech is indistinct from either of the first two causes cannot 

 certainly be sent on picket-duty, nor be trusted to act as sentry, but he may have every 

 other qualification of a good soldier. 



' Essai de atalistique mSdicale-siir Ics principalcs causes d'exemption da service mililaire, par P. L. A. Devot, 4to, Paris, 

 1865. 



^ Quelques remarqaes 4thnolo(jiques sur la riparlilion giographique de cerlaiiws infirinilis en France, M6in. do I'Acad. de 

 mdd., t. xsix, p. 305, 1870-71. 



^ Bull, de I'Acad. de med., t. xxxii, p. 843. 



<A French surgeon asserts that myopia is often dependent upon the kind of work performed, and tliat it sonielimes 

 rapidly lessens under the healtliier influences of army-life. Hence, he concludes, it is doing the short sighted man a, 

 service to seud him to the field. (De la myople aapoint de vue du service militaire, p4r Giuaiid-Teulo.n, Gazette hcbdom. 

 do m6d. et de chir., t. vii, p. 514, 1872.) This view is not sustained, however, by the more extensive researches of La- 

 gneau. Myopia, iu his opinion, is more dependent upon race than upon occupation, {op. cit., p. 302.) In the departments 

 of the Jura and Doubs, wherewatchmaking is the chief employment of the population, exemptions fur this defect are 

 remarkably low in rate, being only 304 and 154 iu the 100 000, respectively ; at the same time, it is worthy of note that 

 the ability to lead is general among this people, the rate of inability being, respectively, ouly 370 and 220. The general 

 ral(!, for the whole of Frauce, of inability to read is 2,300. {Carle sur lesjeanes gens sachant lire en 1800, Paris, 1807.) 



^Discussion in the Paris Academy, already quoted. Broca took occasion to remind the academy that a very famous 

 deed of arms was the ^vork of a one-eyed mau — the defense of the bridge by Horatius Codes ! 



