18(J surgeons' reports — NEW HAMPSHIRE THIRD DISTRICT, 



cuius ill iiny form extremely rare. In an experience of more than forty years, 1 have ne\er Known of 

 more tlian three operations for stone in the district, and have not heard of as many more occurring 

 ill the whole State. After a careful consideration of the subject, laboring the while under consid- 

 erable doubt as to the existence of any prevalent disease, I have come to the coiicbision tiiat 

 typhoid fever is the only malady that prevails to any considerable extent in tliis region. The specific 

 causes that operate to produce this disease are sometimes obscure; but it is a noticeable fact, esjie- 

 cially in the valley of the Connecticut, that excessive fatigue or exposure is almost invariably fol- 

 lowed by typhoid fever, anil rarely by pneumonia, or otlier specific inflammations. It is also true 

 that when pneumonia does occur the fever is always of this type. During the past forty years, 

 but two other epidemics have prevailed in the district, and these 'extended over Northern New 

 England generiilly. I allude to tlie malignant erysipelas, as it was termed, which was so very fatal 

 in the winter of 1840-'41, and to tlie diphtheria which has appeared occasionally within the past ten 

 years. It is worthy of mention that many cases of the former epidemic would now be termed di^th- 

 theria, as the history and symi)toms are precisely similar. 



There is one fact connected with epidemic disease in this district which has occurred so many 

 times in different localities that it should receive a passing notice. I have stated that, as a rule, 

 we have no stagnant water; but this rule is subject to occasional exceptions. It not unfrequently 

 happens that in very dry seasons the small streams rising among the mountains dry up and disap- 

 pear almost entirely. Many of these streams are dammed up for milling-purposes, and, of course, 

 the i)onds are affected as much as the streams, and in evaporating leave a large surface of black 

 mud, reeking with vegetable decay, exposed to the action of the air. Under such circumstances, 

 epidemic dysentery is almost sure to be developed, and has proved very fatal. Occasionally, typhoid 

 fever has appeared instead ; but in these cases the enteric inflammation has been the worst symptom. 



There is nothing in the occupation of the inhabitants tiuit would i)redispose to any disease, as 

 the population is almost wholly agricultural, save in the villages, where the necessary number of 

 mechanics and merchants reside. There are no large manufactories in the district, and but few 

 small ones in any part of it. Neither are there any large villages, and hence there is none of that 

 crowding together of iamilies prevailing in densely po[)nlated localities, and which is so fiiiitfid a 

 source of debilitating disease and premature decay. Ou the contrary, the country, as a general 

 thing, is sparsely populated, and the soil so hard of cultivation, except iu the valleys of the rivers, 

 that the greatest industry and self denial is necessary to enable the farmer to support his family, 

 and accumulate something against old age or misfortune. In such a country, and with such a 

 people, it follows that the mustered conscript or volunteer is usually a hardy, energetic, young 

 man, able to endure great fatigue and undergo greater hardshi])S without breaking down. Excej)- 

 tions occur, of course; but it is a statistical fact that of the regiments hitherto sent to the field from 

 this State, and afterward disbanded, a very much larger ])ercentage of the volunteers from this 

 district have returned thau from either of the others. This is especially true of Coos County, at 

 the northern extremity, lying under the shadow of the White IMountains. From this county, nearly 

 60 per cent, of the volunteers in the regiments referred to liave returned, and, of the deficiency, 

 only about 11 per cent, died from disease. I should mention tliat the average age of the 

 recruits from this northern region has been lower thau iu other portions of the 8tate, and their 

 habits of life being simple at home, they have not yielded as generally to the temptations of army- 

 life, but have returned as healthy as they went out, and in many instances have actually gained iu 

 strength and stature. It will be seen by the report of Surgeon Baxter, Chief of the Medical Bureau 

 iu the Provost-Marshal-General's Offlce, that the number exempted for imbcciUiy in the first and 

 sujiplemeutary drafts was far above the average of other States. During the latter draft in this 

 district, eleven out of oue hundred and eighty-nine were exempted for this cause. It has long 

 been known that in certain localities in tliis State intermarriage of blood relations has been prac- 

 ticeil for many years. This is especially true of oue family, supposed to have sprung from au 

 English, or Bohemian, gipsy tribe, and which for many years led a nomadic life, rarely, however, 

 going beyond the limits of the State. The intermarriage of cousins in this family was the rule 

 and not the excejitioii ; and, although broken ui) and scattered, it still adheres to this custom to a 

 certaiu extent. It is well known that this tribe has produced a great number of imbeciles, and 



