SURGEONS' EEPORTS — NEW YORK — FIFTH DISTRICT. 241 



and this irregularitr was so general, alternating between a crowd and a scattered few, that I am 

 unable to fix an average wliich would serve as a general rule. I think, however, that from twenty-five 

 to thirty cases per day are as manj' as will admit of an accurate and careful phy.sical examination. 



As regards the frauds and other obstacles with which I have had to contend, they have been 

 so numerous and so varied in my experience, in common with that of all surgeons, and members of 

 the profession are so familiar with them, that I have nothing to present of interest in this respect. 

 As a general rule, the best and only reliable safeguard against fraud is a careful, rigid, and 

 thorough examination. A competent physician will rarely fail to detect misrepresentation or 

 deception. 



Of the physical aptitude for military service of any particular nationality, I can give no opin- 

 ion, as the course of my examinations has not furuished any correct basis from which to accord a 

 preference. The foreign representatives have been generally few in number and of a non-uational 

 character; and the natives are not fair specimens of their race, having been, for the most part, 

 reared and their lives spent in cellars and garrets. 



My experience as to the physical qualifications of the colored race for military service has been 

 limited, but I have never beeu led to doubt their aptitude for the duties of private soldiers. 



With reference to the enrollment-law, its operation, &c., I have nothing to present; nor do I 

 make any recommendations or ofler any suggestions in reference thereto, believing that this branch 

 of the subject will receive more complete attention and better justice at the hands of the (late) 

 provost-marshal of this district, who, I doubt not, will express the views of the board on this sub- 

 ject iu his final report. * # * 



JAMES O'EOEKE, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment Fourth District of New York. 



New York City, June 17, 1865. 



NEW YOEK— FIFTH DISTEICT. 



Extracts from report of Dr. Joseph Hilton. 



My experience in making medical examinations in this district covers a period of a little over 

 two years, and, during that time, 1 have examined about 9,810 persons. 



This district is composed of four wards, viz, the Seventh, Tenth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth, 

 of the city of New York. It is situated in the lower or southerly portion of the city, and is bounded 

 on the easterly side by the East Eiver. The greater portion of its inhabitants belong to the labor- 

 ing class ; a considerable portion, however, are merchants, mechanics, artisans, &c. The health of 

 this district will, as a whole, compare favorably with any iu the city. There arc no prevailing 

 diseases except in the most crowded and filthy portions of it. In such may be found typhoid and 

 erujitive fevers at almost any season of the year. 



The proportional number of men held for military service during the draft of 18G3 was about 

 one out of every six and a half examined. Hernia was the cause of a greater number of exemptions 

 than any other disease. A result like this might be readily anticipated on taking iuto considera- 

 tion the exposure and fatigue the masses of this. district endure. Disabilities resulting from acci- 

 dental and other injuries exempted many, probably in an equal, if uot greater, ratio than in any 

 other district in the State. 



In giving my views on paragraph 85, I wish it understood that the sections 1 do not refer to I 

 consider to be good and proper. I think section 3 should be altered so as not necessarily to requiie 

 the testimony of a physician, but, instead thereof, to require good and satisfiictory evidence that 

 the person drafted had suffered from an attack of epilepsy within six months i>revious to his exam- 

 ination by the board of enrollment. Every practitioner of experience knows that old and confirmed 

 cases of epilepsy are apt to be abandoned as incurable, and medical aid is thenceforth dispensed 

 with as unavailing. 



Section 13 holds persons for military duty who are afflicted with myopia. I cannot say 1 wholly 

 disagree with this rule, yet I do not think a person laboring under this disability fit for ficUhservice, 

 31 



