178 surgeons' reports MAINE FOURTH DISTRICT. 



It would probably interfere somewhat with the ordinary use of this part of the hand ; but nature 

 ever anxious to leiiair injuries, does in these cases often make up to a considerable extent for the 

 loss sustained. The end of the shortened member can be applied to almost every part of the index- 

 finger; and, in those eases which have come under my observation, there existed the ability to pick 

 up ami bold small objects. » # * 



My opinion is that not more than sixty men can be examined per day with accuracy; and to 

 do this will require a convenient arrangement of rooms and the utmost promptness on the part of 

 all in any way assisting. Up to the 1st day of May, 1SC5, 1 had examined, as surgeon of this board 

 of enrollment, 0,1)13 men. 



I have had no experience worth mentioning as to the physical qualifications of the colored man 

 for military service. * » * 



As the law has been, towns being allowed a limited time after the call in which to fill their 

 quotas with volunteers, enlisting usually goes on with increasing briskness as the day lor drafting 

 approaches. Among those presenting themselves are individuals who are really anxious to keep 

 out of the service. If they go at all, they jjiefer to go as recruits; but they mean to make such 

 representations to the examining-surgeon as will induce him to reject them. If, however, they are 

 accepted, they fully intend to get discharged at the general rendezvous, where, they nnilerstand, 

 all are re-examined before being sent to the front. But if, as they hope, they are rejected, they 

 turn homeward with light hearts, believing that now their exem[>tiou, in the event of being drafted, 

 is almost certain. They seem to forget that they were rejected more on their own statement.s than 

 from anything the surgeon saw; and that they came to enlist in bad faith, hoping to escape the 

 service by misrepresentation or gross fraud. These cases should be regarded as very different from 

 those in wliich, just previous to a draft, enrolled men comp forward in good faith, proposing to 

 enlist, and, after a careful examination, are rejected. Now, if, in a lew days or weeks, these men 

 are drafted, and, u|>on examiiiatiou, (their physical condition being the same,) they are accei)ted, can 

 it be thought straiig(! if they should feel that this is unjust? And yet this may happen, and in 

 entire consistency with the instructions furnished surgeons of boards of enrollment. That it has 

 been a source of embarrassment to them 1 have good reason to believe. 



The liberal bounties offered those who would enlist in the service of the United States have 

 induced large numbers of individuals, physically disqualified and entirely destitute of honor and 

 patriotism, to offer themselves to the Government. Town-authorities, anxious to fill their quotas, 

 and spurred on by the enrolled men living in their respective sub-districts, are often, it is feared 

 indifferent as to the qualifications of the mau, who, if accepted, makes the number to be raised one 

 the less. Substitute-brokers, who, in some ^'^y, are paid for getting men into the army, are also 

 anxious to have every man whom they present "go through." It is, then, jjlainly to be seen 

 that boards of enrollment have often to encounter the combined influence of these different classes. 



False representations as to the age of the recruit and substitute is a species of fraud which, to 

 my knowledge, is very frequently practiced. Boys fifteen and sixteen years of age, desiring to 

 enlist, have often presented themselves for examination, bringing the written consent of their 

 fathers or mothers, in which document it is certified that they are eighteen. In other cases, forged 

 certificates are presented, the whole being manufactured probably by the boy and substitute-broker ; 

 also, men who are fifty or sixty years old offer themselves for the service, bringmg sometimes certain 

 I)aperproofs that they come within the limits si)ecified by law, but whose apjiearance negatives 

 the evidence they offer. To require record-proof of age would tend to prevent imposition of this 

 kind. 



To the question "What nationality presents the greatest physical aptitude for military, 

 servicef I do not feel prepared to give a very definite answer. My own opinion is, judging from 

 my limited knowledge and observation, that to the Irish and Scotch, especially the latter, belong 

 that hardihood and vigor of constitution which pre-eminently fit them, so far as the body is con» 

 cerned, for military duty. 



The enrollment law, as it. now exists, is, in the main, wise and just, and, if properly enforced, 

 will accom))lish 'the object had in view in its enactment. * * # 



isow, should there not also be some provision in this law for the punishment of the man who 



