352 surgeons' reports — Maryland — third district. 



rate practice, both on account of tbe time occni)ie(l in the exnniinations ami the offense likely to 

 be given to their patients in the conscientious di-schaige of tbeir otlicial duties. For these reasons, 

 and others, tbeir rank and pay should correspond to tbeir responsibility and the professional 

 ability demanded of them by the law. 



The various sections under paragraph 85 which I have not commented on, in my opinion, need 

 no change. 



J. ROBT. WARD, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment Second District of Maryland. 

 Baltimore, Md., June 15, 1865. 



MARYLAND— THIRD DISTRICT. 



Extracts from rejiort of Dr. Thomas F. Murdoch. 



* * * I have found, in the examination of recruits, substitutes, and drafted men, 



that those presenting apparently tbe finest physical development were not, as a general rule, either 

 accepted or held for service, for the following reasons: They either had ulcers, varicose veins of 

 the legs, hernia, or manifest disease of the heart. 



The number examined, as far as can be ascertained, was nine thousand eight hundred and 

 seventy-six. 



Had a list of the volunteers and substitutes rejected during the first year of the office been 

 kept, this number would be increased at least five hundred. 



Tbe Third Congressional District of Maryland is composed of tbe thirteen upper wards (from 

 tbe eighth to the twentieth inclusive) of tbe city of Baltimore, and, with the exception of tbe 

 eighth, ninth, sixteenth, and seventeenth wards, occupies the high ground of the western and north- 

 ern section of tbe city. The eighth and ninth wards are located in the center of tbe city, and are 

 divided by Jones's Falls, a rapid stream, which, in most of its course through tbe city, is confined by 

 substantial walls. The ground immediately 'around this stream is made or new ground. An 

 unusually wet spring, followed by severe drought in the latter part of tbe summer, sometimes pro- 

 duces a mild form of intermittent fever, easily cured, and rarely occurring west of Calvert street. 

 Tbe same disease is found in tbe sixteentli and seventeenth wards. In the southern and south- 

 western sections of tbe city, tbe proximity of tbe wharfed water-fronts, of tbe Spring Gardens, and 

 numerous brick-yards, with their accompanying ponds of stagnant water, i)roduce and give char- 

 acter to other forms of disease. The frequent, and sometimes great, changes of temiiorature, with 

 moisture, may possibly increase our liability to ibeumatism and cLest-diseases. With these excep- 

 tions, our diseases are so general in tbeir character as to require no special description. 



The drainage is almost entirely on the surface. We have several streams of fresh water passing 

 through and around the city of suliicient force to carry all tbe filth collected into tbe Basin, which 

 is kept clear by constant dredging. Both Harford Run and Schroeder's Run are tunneled tbeir 

 entire course through the city. 



The inhabitants are intelligent, social, church-going i>eople, live well, and are principally 

 engaged, at present, in attending to their neighbors' business. 



The ratio per thousand of exemption for disease of the heart is particularly large. This may 

 be accounted for by the i)eculiar moisture of our climate, with its sudden and frequent changes, 

 l)ro(lucing rheumatism. This was especially noticeable in tailors, shoemakers, and workers in 

 tobacco. The worksboi)s of these classes are generally kept at a very high temperature, without 

 proper precautionary measures as to dress and exposure. Many slight cases were noticed but not 

 exempted for this cause, as at least one in every eight of these workmen had trouble about tbe 

 heart. Among tbe Germans, hernia was very common, produced by violent gymnastic exercise 

 at the " Turner Societies,'' to which most of these people belong. Varicose veins were frequent 

 among the Iiisb, also among clerks and bakers, and all who are compelled to woik in an upright 

 position, whether the Irishman with bis shovel or the clerk at bis desk. 



As regards change in paragraph 85, I would suggest that the testimony of two or three reliable 

 witnesses should be sufficient in a case of epilepsy. The time is too short for a i)hysician's report; 



