334 SUKGEONS' KKPOiriS PENNSYLVANIA FOURTEENTH DISTRICT. 



Section 3 of paragrapb 85 requires tlie existeuce of epilepsy to be ^established by tbe afiQdavit of 

 a pliysiciaii iu good staiidiug wlio has attended the applicant in the disease within the six months 

 iiiiimdiateiy piecediug his examination by the board. This is impossible in most instances of even 

 siverv nud u-ell-estuhHshid cases of epilepsy in the country, since a large majority (having sought 

 (iiedical aid lor a long time without permanent relief) cease consulting the jihysiciau ; and even in 

 the majority of instances where medical aid is sought, the Jit has passed off before the arrival of 

 the physician. While, thereibrc, the patient may be found still suffering from the effects of tbe 

 l)ai<)xysm, be is seldom seen during the attacli. Iu reference to the other sections of this para- 

 graph, I have uo suggestions to make. They are probably as nearly perfect as they can be 

 made. # • * 



The labor attending tbe thorough investigation of many cases appearing before surgeons of 

 boards of enrollment is extremely perplexing. Especially is this true iu relation to disease of the 

 kidneys, iheumatism, some forms of impaired vision and bearing, as well as in some other disabil- 

 ities; and, in the very limited lime allotted to surgeous, it is almost impossible that a diagnosis 

 shall not occasionally be made, which a subsequent examination, more leisurely conducted, might 

 no' reverse. The number of men, therefore, that can be actually examined, together with the 

 si;,ning of the exemption and enlistment papers, will depend very much on tbe nature of tbe 

 diseases or disabdities of those applying. The number should not in any event exceed one hundred 

 per diem. 



The frauds which drafted and enrolled men attempt to practice are of every variety. Feigned 

 deafness, epilepsy, imi)erfect vision, and rheumatism are among tbe most common ; tbe true condi- 

 tion in regard to either or all of which can sometimes only be arrived at by much care and extra 

 precaution. In those cases of deafness and loss of vision which were not otherwise sufficiently 

 t)bvious, afddavits of the enrolled or dralted men, fully corroborated by respectable outside evidence, 

 were required in every instance. 



In epilepsy, tbe requirements of ^;ection 3 were fully exacted, and, in addition, a particular 

 desciiption of the tit by the physician or other parties was demanded. Other diseases, resembling 

 epilepsy in some minor particulars, but much milder, and amounting in many cases to a single attack or 

 two of vertigo or some other purely temporary disability, were thus excluded. There are numerous 

 instances wherein persons will innocently make affidavit to the fact of having seen a drafted or 

 enrolled nnin suffering from a tit of epilei)sy, though it may iu reality have been notbiug more 

 I ban an attack of vertigo or syncope, arising from some evanescent cause. 



A fraud not uiifrequently attempted is the presentation before the board of altered birth- 

 records. To guard against imposition in this direction, the affidavit of the applicant as to tbe 

 record being tbe true and original oye was required. In addition, the evidence (on oath) of two 

 resitectable [)ersons, acquainted with the applicant, was required as to their belief that tbe record 

 was a true one, aud, also, that the affiant was entitled to credibility. The original record was 

 always reijuired to be i)roduced for inspection when possible. 



By the method of examination described under section 5 of this report, the frauds eudeavored 

 to be practiced by recruits and substitutes in concealing physical defects were, I believe, most 

 effectually guarded against. A weak, stiff, or distorted limb, or defect in the back, or in any part 

 of the bony or muscular system, was brought, out. During the course of the examination, also, 

 hernia, temporarily invisible, was soon made apparent, iu consequence of the muscular e&brt neces- 

 sary in going through all the movements required. 



To attemjit a descriiition of the frauds of bounty -jumpers would require an acquaiutanoe with 

 every artful device ever conceived by the most accomplished villains. Trained in the school of 

 ex|)erience, (for many had made it a regular business during se\eral years,) it was i)erhaps utterly 

 impossible to detect all ; yet none were ever accepted who coidd not give a \ery satisfactory 

 account of themselves, aud all were rejected who were, in the opinion of tiie board, gravely 

 suspected of being of the class name. I. 



Young men, or even boys, from the (country, witii open, honest countenances, were always 

 accejited in preference to tliosi^ whose apiiearance denoted tiieir familiarity with the habits and 

 vices of cities and large towns. The marks by which tbe latter could geneially be recognized were 

 their manner of dress, general appearance, abundant tattoo-marks over different parts of tbe body, 



