surgeons' KEPORTS NEW YORK EIGHTH DISTRICT. 251 



I tbiiilc till) fliiost men I examined, taking tliem for all in all, were Germans. We examined of 

 tliesc 501 ; many of tliem were recent iinmigranls, and several of tlieni men of great stature, strength, 

 and muscularity. The greatest heights (G feet 3 inches) were common to Irish, Germans, and 

 English. The average height was a little in favor of the English (British Americans) and Scotch. 

 The Germans gave the greatest chest-measurement at inspiration and expiration, (43-11,) followed 

 by the Irish, (42-39 ;) English, (41-39;) the Swedes, of whom four were examined, (40-38 ;) the 

 French, of whom we examined forty-six, (42-40;) and the Americans, (40-37.) Of these latter, we 

 enlisted several fine specimens; but the i)redominance of height, size, strength, and muscular 

 development, with adaiitability for actual service, lay with the Europeans — Germans, French, Irish, 

 English, Scotch, Poles, and Swedes — in the order as written. Most of these (Irjsh excepted) had 

 served in the militia of their native countries or in the Oeld. To this, their active lives, and 

 temiieratc habits, their superiority was perhaps due. Some of the Irish and English had been in 

 the British army in India and the Crimea. Of Americans, we examined 347 ; of Irish, 500 ; of 

 English, Scotch, and natives of the British provinces, 230; of French, 46; Poles, 3; Swiss, 5 ; 

 Swedes, 4; Danas and Norwegians, 11. 



Many colored men enlisted by us, though of short stature, were long-armed, muscular, and 

 healthy; and, unless any moral deticiency annuls their physical vigor, they ought to make good 

 soldiers. "We enlisted, on one day, four black Louisiana field-hands, the finest young men I almost 

 ever saw ; escaped slaves, sent on here from New Orleans by some steamship-company, whose sailor- 

 uniform they wore. 



Drafts, however indispensable in times of need in countries where standing armies are not 

 maintained, are, uevertheless, extremely uniiopular, oi)posed to the spirit of our republican institu- 

 tions, and, by both upper and lower classes of society, every possible obstacle is thrown in the way 

 of the officers as to getting a full and accurate enrollment. These should be men of education, 

 intelligence, zeal, courtesy, and firmness, otherwise many will be enrolled who, from over age, 

 alienage, or physical disability, need not to have been; many not, who ought to have been ; names 

 misspelt taken twice over, wrong addresses obtained, and other blunders made which are not all 

 inevitable. I do not think that sufficient care was generally observed in this respect. And when 

 we reflect how many exemptions are granted before and after a draft, how many drafted men never 

 report and can never be found, and the kind of men who are held to service, in so small a propor- 

 tion, I cannot say that I think that a draft, in a large city like this, although it may prove useful 

 in procuring good men as substitutes for the wealthy, aftbi'ds any very precious material for an 

 efficient army. In rural districts, the result would, of course, be different; it is in such, I believe 

 that the armies of Europe are raised and recruited by conscription. I have only to suggest that 

 if an enrollment be made, it be thoroughly done by competent persons. 



A word or two more, only, in conclusion. The office of " commissioner" of the board of enroll- 

 ment is almost a useless sinecure. I know that its duties are often almost entirely neglected, are 

 of very little real importance, and can be, and are, quite as eliiciently performed by the provost- 

 marshal and his deputy. 



As to couducting the medical examination of drafted men "in the presence of the buard,^^ as 

 prescribed in section 93, it is, in view of the pressure of the du.ies of the other members, I should 

 say, impossible. How arc they to be ])erformed while the " board" is in conclave, watching the 

 surgeons examine drafted men at the rate of 200 per diem ? 



As to its being done in their presence " onhj,^'' the oflice-arrangements must bo on a larger scale 

 than at present to allow of this. Ours consisted of a second floor of two rooms; six or eight clerks, 

 working at the enrollment-lists, sat in it with me during nearly my whole time of service. There 

 was no privacy for my examinations of the enrolled men, who filled the apartment daily, together 

 with the recruits and substitutes ; and when the portion of the room curtained oft' for examining 

 naked recruits was occupied by one or two of these, the applicants for exemption, many of them 

 men of the first respectability, conversed with me, in an undertone, at the head of the same long 

 table. 



There was often so much noise and talking at the table that it was almost impossible fo 

 auscultate the heart and lungs accurately. \A'e had only one rickety bench to aeconunodate all, 

 many of whom, of course, had to stand; a- paucity of chairs; the water not let on, and very few 



