REP0IIT8 OF SURGEONS OF BOARDS OF ENROLLMENT. 



MAINP:— FIRST DISTRICT. 



Extracts from report of Dr. 0. W. Thomas. 



In answer to paragraj)!! No. 1, I would sa^' that the iiuniber of men examined iu my distiict 

 was about 7,550. I had also examined, before my connection with the Prosost Marslial's linicaii, 

 some hundreds for the volunteer and regular service. * » # 



Tiiis district is bounded on the north by Androscoggin and Oxford (bounties; on the west by 

 Oxford County and the State of New Hampshire; on the east and south by the Athxntic Ocean. 

 The surface of the country is undulating, varied by hill and valley, forest and |)Iain. Its geological 

 formation consists chietiy of granite; mica abounds; also slate in the interior, and blue <!lay on the 

 seaboaril. 



We have, in the winter, infiannnatory aft'ections of the throat and kings, and rheumatism ; in 

 the summer, bowel-complaint ; and, in the lall, a great deal of typhoid fever. But our most preva- 

 lent diseases are coiisnmi)ti()ii and rheumatic aflections, the result of those sudden llnctuations of 

 temperature for which our ''Down East" climate is so proverbial. Latterly, we have had consid- 

 erable diphtheria, and, subsequently to this, sporadic cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis, commonly 

 known by us as '• spotted fever." Both the latter ha\e been more j)revalent and fatal in the interior 

 than on the seaboard. 



The general character of the inhabitants for intelligence, morals, and education is good, lu 

 the cities, we lind about the usual projjortion of prt)fessional, mechanic, and operative classes pre- 

 sented by Xew England cities generally ; in the rural districts, farmers, and a large proportion of 

 sea faring men. * # * 



Tiie different sections of paragraph 85 have been the subject of much thought and discussion 

 with us in this otitice, more particularly during the first part of our service. With increasing 

 experience of its working, we have been better satistied of its general utility and fitness for the ends 

 for which it is inteniled ; and, with paragraphs 5 and 9, it leaves sufiicieiit margin to the judicnous 

 and careiiil physician under which to class most of the abnormal cases which do not come literally 

 under otlier sections. * * « 



I would suggest, in section 29, to the sentence "Varicocele is not in itself disrpialilyiiig," tlu; 

 addition ot the words "unless excessive" or "aggravated," or something to that effect. I have 

 seen many instances where varicocele teas in itxcif disqualifying, there being no other delect; the 

 subjects having been [)atieuts of my own, and under my observation lor years. Now, 1 was obliged 

 to exempt those men, because I knew they were unlit for duty ; aii<l ii troubled lue at the time, 

 because, though anxious to conform as strictly as possible to the "letter of the law," I was obliged 

 to evade it; and yet, at the same time, I knew that I was doing right. * * » 



The number ol men that can be examined i)er day with accuracy must vary considerably 

 according to the surgeon's experience, natural quickness of peix'ei)ti(in, tact, Judgment, &c. 1 found 

 that I could accurately examine daily a larger number of men toward the close of my service than 

 when I first began. On some days, a large proportion of those presenting would be above the 

 average in fitness, so that but little time was required for each man, and our nightly record would 

 foot up largely. If there were many cases of hernia, varicose veins, or such obvious dis(iualitica 



