298 



disease of the beait, pains in tbe back, disease of tbe kiduejs, iuterutil bajmonboids, affectious of 

 tbe liver aud bowels, and of the bladder are most frequently selected by drafted men as claims for 

 exemption. 



Of tbe uatives of tbe various countries entering tbe military service of tbe Duited States, the 

 native American is tbe best qualified and adapted to it; his physical development being equal to 

 tbe average, his intelligence and activity above it. Next in order of capacity are tbe Irish, who, 

 being chiefly engaged at out-of-door employments, as laborers, carters, farmers, and being naturally 

 healthy and well-developed, are well suited for the duties of a soldier. The Germans have more 

 knowledge of military training from their having generally served in their national armies; but, 

 being almost all tradesmen of sedentary occupations, such as shoemakers, tailors, aud other trades 

 of that kind, they lose much of their capacity for endurance, and are less useful as soldiers. 



Tbe first district contains a large black population, a great number of which is the most 

 inferior of that race in this city. They live generally in narrow streets, courts, and alleys, in miser- 

 able houses, and are crowded together, with deficient ventilation. Intemperance prevails to a great 

 extent among them, and numerous cases of scrofula, phthisis, aud broken-down health are pre- 

 sented. Of tbe few blacks who were recruited at this oftice, many were natives of Southern States. 

 Taking the average of the colored men eidisted, they were physically fully equal to the average of 

 ■white men, and in general inspired confidence as to their reliability and capacity for service. 



I have too little knowledge of the operations of tbe enrollment-law to give an authoritative 

 opinion as to the most efficient means to be adopted to make it completely efiective. Men fre- 

 quently desire to avoid enrollment, and thus evade military duty. Every man liable should be 

 registered in the district where he resides, and be subject to some penalty if he fails to enroll 

 himself. 



JAS. S. DE BENNEVILLE, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment First District of Pennsylvania. 



Philadelphia, Ta., June 9, 1865. 



PENNSYLVANIA— SECOND DISTPJCT. 

 Extracts from rej)ort of Du. E. W. Eichie. 



* * * Since the opening of this office in 1863, 1 have had the honor to be connected 

 therewith as surgeon. I have examined over five thousand five hundred men. # # # 



This district is almost entirely covered with brick aud mortar ; a small portion of it, however, 

 lying between tbe Delaware and Schuylkill Elvers, is in a high state of cultivation, with gardens 

 and truck-farms. 



Tbe health of the district has always been remarkably good. The general character of its 

 inhabitants for morals aud intellect is of a high order of excellence. Its schools, academies, and 

 colleges of learning are not excelled by any in this country. The modes of life are various, from 

 tbe lowest, or humblest, to tbe highest, or most gorgeous. Tbe occupatious of the inhabitants are 

 laboring, mechanical, manufacturing, mercantile, and professional. 



There are no particular diseases or disabilities peculiar to this district that would disqualify in 

 a greater ratio other than is incident to all districts in this latitude. 



There are but few alterations, or changes, that I would suggest in paragraph 85 of the Keviscd 

 Eegubitions. Section \i. Epilepsy. 1 would recommend that this should read, " that the affidavits 

 of two reliable persons, where the affidavit of a physician cannot be bad, shall be taken as 

 sufficient." It often happens that the physician never sees his patient during a paroxysm, aud 

 consequently is unable to give the required certificate. I had considerable difficulty in several cases 

 to procure tbe evidence required by the regulations. Section 13, 1 should think, should be so 

 modifiedas to exempt casesof myopia. Section 23. Hernia. I would exclude small congenital umbilical 

 hernia. I have seen several cases where I am sure it did not in any way incai)acitate tbe subject 

 from performing the duties of a soldier. Section 25. HwiiMrtlunds. If exteriuU, but of an aggr.ivated 



