SURGEONS' KEPOKTS — CONNECTICUT FIRST DISTRICT. 227 



nation. In case of those diseases of wbieb epilepsy or rheumatism are the latent causes, 1 would 

 have it distiuctly understood that any recruit or substitute who concealed such an infirmity, 

 knowing it to have existed prior to bis enlistment, should be held to service without pay, as long 

 as it was the pleasure of the Government to retain bini, and be employed as would best subserve the 

 Interests of the couutry be wished to defraud. A Government workshop, where such worthless 

 fellows Ironi the army might be employed, would be an excellent institution. 



I might as well, here as anywhere, say what I desire to express about " boards of inspection 

 at military rendezvous." Such boards, in my opinion, should be composed only of those who have 

 had expeiicuce iu the field, and are fully acquainted with all the tricks and dodges of the old 

 noldier. 1 found that, after the most minute and careful examinations, men would nevertheless be 

 rejected at the military rendezvous by the board of inspectors. In every case of rejection, 1 think . 

 the recruit or substitute should be immediately sent back, with the cause of rejection stated, for a 

 re-examination and a statement of the facts in the case. There is a vast difference iu the recruit or 

 substitute when before a surgeou for examination to enter the service and when before a board of 

 insi»ection hoping to escape from the same. Some men, to my knowledge, who were rejected, and 

 the rejection confirmed, came back and enlisted in the regular service ; thus iu the short space 

 of four or five weeks receiving two bounties. The large bounties were the great inducements for 

 the practice of this decepliou, and both enlistments counted in the quota of the State. Some 

 remedy ought to be devised to prevent this wrong to the State and to the Geueral Government. 

 A person reeulisting, who has been discharged for a disability or dishonorably, should not count 

 on the quota of any town, county, or State. Such a person enlisting should serve with or without 

 pay, at the option of the Government. 



What nationality fresents the greatest phy>ikal aptit^ide for the military service.— The Americans, 

 English, Irish, Germans, and French all make good soldiers. The same may be said of the Swedes, 

 Italians, and Norwegians. I have had most experience of the Americans and Irish, with a good 

 deal also of the Germans and English. From all I have seen, in the field and elsewhere, I am of the 

 opinion that, all in all, no nation e(pials the Anglo-Saxon, more especially the genuine American, 

 in a military point ol view. His ingenuity enables hun to live better on the same means ; he has 

 thevigor, the courage, the endurance, and the quickness of perception that make him unequaled 

 as a soldier. He is easily disciplined, without being cowed; he is obedient without losing his 

 individuality ; he is prompt and fearless, and his national pride keeps up his viorale. * 



My experience in regard to the qualifications of the colored race for military service is quite 

 limited. I presume I have not examined more than a hundred. From such observation as I have 

 bad, I think that for physical soundness they will equal, if not excel, the white race. I have not 

 the least doubt that they will make efficient soldiers. They are imitative, and their powers ot 

 endurance are good. * * # 



After witnessing its operations in the last enrollment of this district, I am unable to ofler any 

 suggestion of alteration of the enrollment-law. It seems to be wise and just iu all its provisions, 

 and operates on all with that impartiality which precludes all fault-finding. # * * 



F. H. PECKHAM, 

 Surgeon of the Board of Enrollment Second District of Rhode Island. 

 Pkovidence, R. 1., August 1, 18G5. 



CONNECTICUT— FIRST DISTRICT. 



Extracts from report of Dr. J. S. CURtis. 



» ♦ « The whole number of men examined, as near as an estimate can be made, 



since the organization of this board, is about 5,057 recruits and about 4,G05 men exempted, 

 making a total of 9,G62 examinations. 



* # # The Connecticut River runs in a southerly course through nearly the 



center of this district. Its valley is fertile, undulating, and well drained. The eastern and western 

 portions are hilly and well supplied with streams. Most of the latter are useful for manufacturing 

 purposes. 



