27n srUGEOXS' REPOIJTS new VOIJK rWlCNTY-FOURTH IJISTRICT. 



upon the rolls tliev arc iiiixioiis, and do assist materially, to fill the quota of the locality in whicb 

 they are enrolled. But if tlieir names are dropiied from tlieenrollnienf, most men in their conseious 

 security from draft take little if auy interest in raising men, and to a certain extent the Govern- 

 ment and the locality lose their aid. * » « 



JOHN H. KNAPi', 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment Ticeniy-lhird District of New YorJc. 

 Syracuse. N. Y.. June 14, 186.~». 



NEW YOEK— TWENTY-FOURTH DISTRICT. 



Extracts from report of Dr. G. ^^'. IJavis. 



* * * Theofflceof surgeon of theboard of eurollmeutwasaccepted byme, and itsduties 

 entered upon, Jlay 12, 18G3, and I have continued to discharge the duties of the office according to 

 the best of my ability up to the present time. During that time, more than ten thousand recruits, 

 substitutes, and drafted men, and about five hundred enrolled men, have been examined by me, or 

 under my immediate supervision ; making in all ten thousand and five hundred men. 



The twenty-fourth district of the State of New York is comi^osed of the counties of Oaynga, 

 Seneca, and Wayne, and comprises within its boundaries an area of eighteen hundred square 

 miles, containing a population, according to the last census, of one hundred and thirty-one thou- 

 sand six hundred and sixty-eight souls. It is located in the western central portion of the State, in 

 what is known as the "Lake Country," and embraces within its limits, or along its borders, 

 Skaneateles, Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca, and Ontario Lakes. 



The surface of the country is much diversified, being hilly in the southern section, level or 

 swampy, and gently undulating or rolling in the central and northern portions. Located centrally 

 along the outlet of Cayuga Lake and Seneca River is an extensive swampy region, known as the 

 "Montezuma JSIarshes." 



The geological system of the district is simple, com])osed of sandstone, limestone, and shale 

 formation, and divided into the following groups: beginning with the lowest or Medina sandstone 

 on the borders of Lake Ontario, and successively cropi)iug out in the ascent, are the Clinton groui>, 

 Niagara group, Onondaga salt grouj), Helderberg series, Hamilton group, and, in the extreme 

 southern portion, the Portage group. Weak-brine springs are found in many parts, and especially 

 in the Medina sandstone and Onondaga salt groups. Other mineral springs are met with distrib- 

 uted throughout the district ; and in fact the waters of all springs, so far as known, are impregnated 

 with lime and other minerals, and are denominate<l "hard-water springs." The soil, as the geo- 

 logical formation indicates, is generally fertile, and comprises .some of the best lands for agricul 

 tural and horticultural purposes in the United States. 



The diseases peculiar to this locality are those arising from miasm in the extensive marshy and 

 swampy districts; those produced by the sudden changes of temperature and bleak climate of the 

 lake-borders; and those arising from the waters used being impregnated with earthy and mineral 

 substances. They comprise fevers of various types and grades; hepatic, pulmonic, and ne])hritic 

 diseases. 



The general character of the inhabitants is exemplary. They are a law-abiding, god-leariug 

 people; are trained to habits of industry and frugality ; and are principally engaged in agricultural 

 and mechanical pursuits. 



Statistics show that a greater ratio per thousand was exempted during the last dralt for hernia 

 than for any other disability. This is undoubtedly owing to the fact that a large majority of those 

 examined are engaged in laborious pursuits, and are therefoie much more exposed to the most 

 usual cause of the disease. 



The same fact holds true in regard to exemptions for wounds, dislocations, fractures, and other 

 accidental injniies; for it has been demonstrated that a greater i»roportion of farmers, laborers, and 

 mechanics are afflicted with accidental disciualilications than is found to be the case among indi- 

 viduals who i)ursue less laborious callings. 



A large inoportion of exemi)tions have been granted to enrolled and drafted men for want of 



