278 surgeons' reports — new your — twenty-fifth district. 



Not liiiviug bad miicli experience in the exaniiiiatioii of men of color, I do not consider myself 

 competent to <iive an opinion as to tbeir military aptitude. However, with what little experience 

 I have had, my impression is very much in favor of their adaptaliility to military service. 



In regard to the operations of the enrollment-law as it now exists, 1 have but little to say. If 

 its provisions could be carried out without State or local interference, my impressions are that its 

 object would be much better accomplished ; tor to this interference undoubtedly are to be attributed 

 the many frauds comiuil ted by bounty-brokers and others; and the large local bounties paid by 

 States and townships, in my judgment, have proved a direct stimulus and premium for men to 

 desert, and a cause of much dissatisfaction to men in the field who enlisted in the eaily stage of 

 the war. * » * 



G. VV. DAVIS, 

 Sunjeon Board of Enrollment Tircnli/fourth District of New Yorh. 



Ai'BUKN, N. Y., June 15, 1SG5. 



NEW YOKK— TWENTY-FIFTH DlSTIilCT. 



Extractn from report of Uii. Z. II. Blake. 



* * * My experience commenced with the organization of this Bureau and the opera- 

 tions under the same. The number examined will range fiom eight to ten thousand men. 



The general geographical position of this district is as follows : It is west of the center of the 

 State of New York; is composed of the counties of Ontario, Livingston, and Yates; and is situated 

 in latitude north 42° 50', longitude west from Washington 0° 30'. The district is situated and 

 elevated from live hundred to fllteen hundred feet above tide-water, with a general inclination 

 north; the streams running in a noj-therly direction. The southern parts contain spurs of the Alle- 

 ghany Mountains. Within the district are six large villages, containing from two thousand to ten 

 thousand inhabitants each. The underlying rocks, commencing on the north border, are the water- 

 lime of the Onondaga salt group, the Onondaga and corniferous limestones, Marcellus and Hamil- 

 ton shales, Genesee slate, and Portage shales and sandstones. 



There are several lakes in the district, viz : Seneca, Crooked, (Janandaigua, Honeoye, Conesus, 

 Hemlock, and Oaoadice Lakes. They are from five to forty miles in length and from one to live 

 miles in breadth. 



The prevalent diseases are of an inflammatory character. The causes conducive thereto are, in 

 general, climatic changes. 



By reference to the map, and synopsis of the census of ISliO, it will be seen that the inhabitants 

 ar(^ generally laborers, farmers, and mechanics. * * # 



I find that the greatest number exempted for any one cause was exempted for lack of sufBcient 

 teeth ; the next for hernia. I cannot believe that the early loss of the teeth shows an early decay 

 of the vital forces, but, on the contrary, I believe it an beieditary condition, and controlled by, or 

 dei)endent on, some cause or causes (operating in a given locality) of wliic^h we are as yet in igno 

 rauce. * * * » 



In a room well lighted and sufficiently large, I could examine three hundred men per day, with 

 an average day's work of one hundred and tifty ; but, in a small room, where you take them sepa- 

 rately, thirtij would be a day's work. You will therefore see that the number examined per day 

 depends upon the accommodations. 



Men of all classes (recruits, substitutes, drafted and enrolled men) practice all the arts the devil 

 can suggest. Surgeons must obey orders. Appoint surgeons who will do their duty without fear 

 or favor. 



" What nationality prenentH the greatent aptitude for military service f " — The American. 



" Your experience as to the physical qHalifications of the colored race for military service.^'' — 1 have 

 examined .some negroes, say two or three hundred, and believe them to be well adapted to military 

 service ; in fact, among the best. 



"■Your views as to the operation of the enroUnientlaw as it now exists, trith recommendations and 



