surgeons' reports CONNECTICUT THIRD DISTRICT. 237 



in repeated instances, nine out of ten of these men in snecessiou, and, on one. occasion, nineteen 

 out of twenty. This gave nie a great deal of labor, \vitli no ])ractical results. Tlu' various expe- 

 dients lesorted to for the purpose of detecting these men at ouce, and thus avoiding a thorough 

 examination, as marking them with caustic, Sec. have proved futile as well as hazardous to the 

 surgeon. I cau suggest no better method of putting a stop to this practice of going from one othcc 

 to another, in the hope of final acceptance somewhere, than of subjecting both the men themselves 

 and the brokers who travel with them to some severe ])unishment. * * * 



Next to Aineiicans, the majority of the recruits and substitutes examined by me have been 

 natives of Ireland. Tlui English come next in order iiumeri( ally, then the Germans, Scotch, 

 French, Italians, Danes ; and nearly all the other nations of EurojM' have each contributed a. few. 



Tiie native Anjericans have, in general, jxissessed more ])hysical stamina than aliens. Of the 

 latter, the Irish have, I think, surpassed all others in physical develoi>mcnt. # * » 



The African race, as a class, are, by reason of the peculiar conformation of their bodies, less 

 adapted than other races of men lor infantry duty. Their pelves aie liiiht and narrow ; their inferior 

 extremities slender, lean, and elongated, the muscular structure ot the calves of the legs, a full 

 development of which is essential to the performance of long and fatiguing marches, being par- 

 ticularly ill developed; while the excessive flatness of their feet, (the ordinary arch which exists in 

 the Europeau being almost entirely wanting,) in addition, disqualify them for this branch of tlie 

 service. The negro, however, possesses in general a sound aiul vigorous body, with a j)owerlul 

 development of the thorax and su|>erior extremities, and is in every way physically adapted for 

 garrison duty, assailing earth-works, as well as for short marches, or charging upon the field of 

 battle. # * * 



.The enrollment-law as it now exists, I think, needs little revision, and I have but one sugges- 

 tion to make in reference thereto, viz, the insertion of an additional section, empowering boards 

 of enrollment to summon before them peremptorily, at stated times, either annually or seniiannu- 

 aliy, all persons enrolled in their respective districts whose names do notajjpearon the record-book 

 of the surgeon as having been 2)reiHoud!/ examined. The uu^n might be summoned by lot, and 

 re(juired to appear on given days, in the same manner as drafte<l men. My reasons for recom- 

 mending the introduction of a section to the effect above mentioned are these : Under the present 

 system of examining enrolled men, it being optional with them when to iipiiear for a physical 

 examination, the residt is that the great majority only present themselves when stimulateil by the 

 tear of an impending draft, and then they come in such large mimhers that it is impossible for the 

 surgeon to give them all a thorough examination on the day of their appearance. The surgeon 

 lias less time to devote to them during the few weeks immediately preceding a draft, tor the reason 

 that his duties are more onerous at ihis time in the examination oi recruits and substitutes. By 

 mnnmoning a limited number per day until all have been examined, at such sea.sons as the surgeon 

 has the most time to devote to them, the duties of the surgeon would lie moie thoroughly ))er- 

 formed, yet much less laboriouslj ; the men would return to their homes much better satisfied, and 

 the interests of the Government would be in every way better subserved. 



In conclusion, I would suggest that, if again in the history of this country the emergency 

 should arise, necessitating the organization of boards of enrollment, the surgeon thereof should be 

 subjected to a rigid examination, jnior to his appointment, as to his iirofessional qualifications, and 

 that he receive the lull rank', pay, and allowances of a surgeon in the Army. 'I he gieat responsi- 

 bilities attached to the |)osition demand the services of men of j»((c^(«/ expeiieuce as well as 

 sound theoretical knowledge. A young man fiesh from his studies, with his newly-acijuired diploma, 

 can easily discharge the duties of an assistant surgeon in the Army, as he can ap]>ly to his superior 

 medical ofiBcers in all cases of doubt. The surgeon of a board of enrollment has no one to ai)peal 

 to for counsel, he must act for himself, and it is of paramount iuqiortance that he be in every 

 respect qualified for the position he holds, and such inducements should, therefore, be held out as 

 would secure to the Government the best talent in the profession. 



R. McC. LORD, 

 iSurgeon Board of EnroUmmt, Third District of Connecticut. 



Norwich, Jnuc 15, 180^ 



