342 SUBGEONS' BEPOFTS PENNSYLVANIA SEVENTEENTH DISTRICT. 



.their teelb extracted to defraud the Government, we held them to service if they were otherwise 

 sound, and assigned reasons for so doing, which wei'eseiit with them to the rendezvous. 



Drafted men frequently came with one or more fingers or a great toe cut squarely oft', the bone 

 protruding, making a very sore stump, which they represented as the result of recent accident. 

 They were also held to service, and reasons sent forward why tliey were held. 



When a farmer, mechanic, or laboring-man claimed exemption, and I could not find sufticient 

 cause to dismiss him, the ajipearance of his hands sometimes indicated whether he was trullifiil in 

 his declarations of disability. If his Lands were covered with a thick, hardened skin, well sun- 

 burned, the presumption was clear that he could do a good day's work at home, and, therefore, 

 could do military service. 



In examination of enrolled men, when any doubt whatever existed as to the merits of a claim 

 for exemption, the name was retained on the rolls, leaving a clear margin always in favor of the 

 Government. 



Ill examination of substitutes and volunteers, we had more trouble with boys not over fourteen 

 or iilteeu years of age than with any class of men. They were often brought from a distance, 

 always claiming to be eighteen years old. They were so well drilled by the brokers having them 

 in charge that they would toicc a very full ins|)iration, strut about as erect as old soldiers, and go 

 through every process of the examination with as much activity as a set of lofty tumblers. They 

 were taught before coming that in such a cause there was no wrong in persisting that they were 

 several years older than they really were. We rejected many boys who were over the minimum 

 standard because they were undeveloped in bone and muscle, and evidently not over fifteen years 

 old. No reliance could be placed on the word of themselves, or of those in charge of them, as to 

 age. They presented every variety, from the stripling boy of fourteen to the youth of fully-devel- 

 oped puberty. 



Again, old men over fifty years of age came with hair dyed, and, in some cases, artificial 

 teeth inserted, claiming to be aliens, and under forty-five years. These frauds were so easily 

 detected that I believe we were not in any instance imposed on by this class. 



I have no suggestions to ofter in addition to what I have already hinted at to avoid or over- 

 come these difficulties in future, except such resources as the skillful and vigilant surgeon will 

 readily call to his aid as the exigency may occur. 



Of the men examined, the number of Pennsylvanians greatly piTponderated over all others 

 combined, and, in my opinion, they presented the greatest physical aptitude for military service. 

 A very large jjroportion of Pennsylvanians fuinished by this district certainly could not be 

 excelled in symmetry of Ibrm, |)hysical endurance, and intellectual development by an equal number 

 selected Irom any nationality. This is accounted for by the habits of industry, sobriety, and frugal- 

 ity, with the fostering care of our commou schools, for which Pennsylvania in general, and this 

 district in particular, is {)roverbial. 



This being essentially a rural district, the inhabitants are to a great extent free from the 

 degrading and demoralizing vices incident to those of densely -crowded cities or districts. 



'The colored men, in the estimation of this board, rank high as soldiers. The men we examined 

 and sent from this oftice were, with laie exceptions, of the first class in point of size, muscular 

 develo[(ment, good form, and sound constitutions". They, moreover, manifested an eagerness to enter 

 the service. My exiierieuce has led me to differ from high medical authority, inasmuch as I have 

 Ibnnd tubercular disea.se le.ss frequently developed in this cla.ss than in the same proportion of 

 whites. There is one feature in the character of the colored man greatly in his favor as a soldier : 

 1 mean the facility with w hich he can accommodate himself to army-life. The tran.sition from his 

 mode of living in a cabin or house of inferior quality to the army-tent is by no means so great as 

 that of the merchant, the farmer, the mechanic, or a large proportion of the laboring-meu, who have 

 bouses and home luxuries not enjoyed generally by the colored man; consequently, the change to 

 army-life does not so seriously affect him. 



With one or two exceptions, I cannot imagine that the present enrollment-law requires any 

 amendments. I will, however, advert to oue point as it now exists, viz, enrolling ministers of the 

 gospel, and reckoning them among the military forces of the United States. I would respectfully 



