22G surgeons' reports — uuode islam) — second district. 



the sticiims wbicli funiisb water-power, aud tbeir situations are uot as healthy as aie the surround- 

 ing higher lands. The dampness aud mists that hang about these valleys in certain seasons of 

 the year, when the dajs are sultry and the nights cool, are often productive of dysentery and 

 typhoid fever, which iire the prevalent diseases. The wells belonging to these villages are often 

 fed by tbe river, which contains organic matter fiom vegetable and other decomposition, thus 

 adding to the. cause of sickness. As we approach the bay from the western part of the district, a 

 new geological character changes tlie soil and scenery. A basin occupied by the coal-bearing 

 rocks dips uudvv the bay, reaching a part of each side. Near the western boundary of the basin 

 are many maiks of geological disturbance, dislocated strata, metamorpbic locks, and beds of iron 

 and lime. There are no alluvial tracts in this district, nor very high hills; neither are there any 

 large rivers. It is doubtful if the highest elevation of land reaches over five hundred feet above 

 the level of the sea. The streams are narrow aud rapid, luruishing excellent water-power, which 

 has had a material influence on the growth and population of the district, as well as ou its social 

 and sanitary condition. The soil is uot exceedingly fertile, but averages with that of Massachu 

 eetts and Connecticut. The population of this district will not vary far irom seventy-tive thousand, 

 and as regards health will compare favorably with any like section in JSew England. Pulmonary 

 consumption, the great scourge of New England, prevails here, and more die yearly fiom it than 

 from any other disease, and, I thiuk I might add with truth, 'than from all other diseases. The 

 usual zymotic diseases i)revail to a greater or less exteut, the most prevalent of which are typhoid 

 or autumnal fever, dysentery, diarrhoea, aud scarlatina. 



The inhabitants of this district are of a mixed character. The Americans predominate, and 

 are the chief owners of the soil. Next are the Irish, with a mixture of Germans, French, and Nor- 

 wegians. The people are industrious and enterprising. The agricultural and mauufactuiiug 

 interests. are about equal in importance; many are engaged in domestic commerce, lu respect to 

 education and manner of living, they compare favorably with almost any portion of New England. 

 The opportunities of obtaining a common-school education are good, and attainable by all. * * 



The diseases and disabilities which have disqualified the largt st number of men in this district 

 are tuberculosis and accidental consumption; next, injuries, such as fractures, mutilations, and 

 ankylosis of the large joints. The cause of the prevalence of tuberculosis may be found in the 

 variableuess of the climate, and the location of the manufacturing villages in the valleys, which 

 latter a.re damp, and experience great changes of temperature between midday and midnight; also 

 in tbe emjjloymeut and confinement in-doors of the operatives. Accidental consumption occurs 

 (piite as frequently as hereditary cousumption. It arises from neglected broncbial diseases aud 

 iini)erfectly-cured pneumonia. The other disabilities are such as are incidental to a manufacturing 

 community, and require no special description. 



" Vieioi in reference to the different sections of paragraph 85, Revised Regulations Provost-Marshal- 

 GeneraVs Bureau, and ichat changes to he recommended.^^ — I think the provisions in question are just, 

 and that they give to the Government what it has a right to claim, while they secure to the indi- 

 vidual all the rights that are reasonably due him. Holding this oijinion, I would not recommend 

 any change, believing that by a proper construction and understaudiug of the lists as now given 

 all drafted men who are really unfit for the militai-y service can be exempted in accordance with 

 its provisions. 



The number of men who can be accurately examined per day is about thirty, allowing six 

 hours to work in, and the proper assistance being furnished. # # # 



The frauds to be most guarded agaiust, which are practiced by drafted and enrolled men, consist 

 in the lies they them.selves tell, and get their relatives, neighbors, and physicians to tell for them. In 

 illustration of this i)oiut, I wish to record this fact : in the draft of 1SC3, in this district, thirteen 

 hundred aud fifty men were drawn, while nine hundred and fifty was the number required to be 

 furnished. Of the whole number drawn as they appeared before the board, (and nearly all did 

 so ai)pear, except such as were in the service or at sea,) there was barely one person who thought 

 himself able to do military service, aud was willing to take an oath to that effect! It is very 

 doubtful if lie would have thought so, had uot the agent of the town been present ready to 

 [)Ut in a substitute if he was held. Therefore, in my judgnuMit, it is better to tnust to no outside 

 testimony that is not corroborated by the physical condition, as ascertained by a thorough exami- 



