312 surgeons' EEPORtS PENNSYLVANIA TENTH DISTRICT. 



Atbeus at a somewhat later period. England, however, has taken the lead in modern times in 

 full and minute registration; and these vital statistics have never been extensively employed 

 where sound principles of political economy were not recognized, nor entirely neglected where this 

 science has been cultivated. 



Interests connected with the three important eras of human life — birth, marriage, and death — 

 render it apparent, on the slightest reflection, that upon the circumstances connected with them are 

 dependent to a very great extent the [)hysical, moral, and civil condition of the human family ; and 

 that a knowledge of these circumstances is necessary for a full comprehension of important means 

 for the certain advancement of the population of states in prosperity and civilization. Without a 

 registration-law, how can we obtain a knowledge of the facts and circumstances which can elucidate 

 this subject"? In order to prevent the spread of disease in particular localities, we must know the 

 kind of maladies incident to-those situations. To preserve the health and ])rolong the life of those 

 engaged in any particular trade or profession, we should know what diseases are most fatal to each; 

 and this can only be learned from such a record as this law procures. Registration indicates a 

 nation's strength ; it teaches what occupations a people jealous of life, health, and happiness should 

 fostei', and what avoid ; whether marringe or communism is better to people a world and maintain 

 its condition. To the statesman it is invaluable; without it, forts, batteries, dockyards, and 

 public works have been located and abandoned, because malarial poison has left no lives to guard 

 them. Life-insurance companies, and all other organizations based upon the probabilities of human 

 life, are to be credited to vital statistics. Heretofore, all the calculations for our own country 

 have been taken from the English tables, notwithstanding the difference in latitude, habits, and 

 circumstances. 



It is essential to our correct history ; to the geogiaphical description of our country ; to the 

 rights of freemen, whose birth-rights may be questioned ; to jurists, in regulating the descent of 

 property; to the hygienist, in determining the mortality of the sexes, and the age, habits, and em- 

 ployments of the deceased, as compared with atmospheric phenomena of the season, thereby deter- 

 mining points of health in their relation to each other. By these statistics, attention would be 

 awakened to the mortality in certain places supposed to be healthy ; thus, local partialities would 

 be removed, nuisances abated, and deleterious practices and employments abandoned. Our own 

 law upon this subject is almost wholly inoperative and useless, simplj' for want of a penalty 

 attached to its violation, and proper remuneration to those who are required to fulfill its provisions. 



Among all the difficulties with which we had to contend, none caused so much embarrassment 

 and trouble as that of determining the ages of men. In many cases, it was utterly impossible to 

 arrive at a definite conclusion for want of reliable documentary evidence; consequently, in some 

 instances the Government was wronged, and in other instances individuals were the sufferers. 



If the existing laws which have been enacted by State legislatures are not speedily so amended 

 as to fulfill all that is required, Congress should take the matter in hand, and give it the attention 

 to which it is entitled. # # # 



E. H. SMITH, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment Seventh District of Fennsylvania. 



West Chester, Pa., May 31, 1865. 



PENNSYLVANIA— TENTH DISTRICT.! 



Extracts from report of Dr. James S. Carpenter. 



* * * My experience in the examination of men for military service has been 



attained during the two years' service that I have had as surgeon of the board of enrollment in this 

 district. An extensive practice as physician and surgeon for more than thirty-five years has given 

 me experience in the diseases and disabilities which unfit a man for military duty, and, I think, 

 fitted me for the duties that I have been called upon to perform. 



'No reports were received from the cijibth .ond ninth districts. 



