surgeons' reports MARYLAND THIRD DISTRICT. 353 



very few persons soiid Tor ;). doctor after tbe tirstor second fit, whei". tlie cliaracter of tlie coaiplaintis 

 established. A man nniy liave several attacks witbin tbe time and never be seen by a medical man. 

 Tbese cases were of frequent occurrence, and tbe men were obliged to produce substitutes, because a 

 l)bysiciau bad not seen tbeui in tbe required time. The fifth section might be subdivided so as to 

 specify the organs and the diseases of the organs that should exempt. It is not specific enough 

 for an honest man, while it allows too much latitude for the dishonest. The sixth section is rather 

 iLdefinite, but I cannot suggest a better. From tbe seventli to the nineteenth sections, inclusive, 

 I would propose no change. The twentieth section is too sweeping. I have often been obliged to 

 hold a man, from being the unfortunate possessor of an incisor or bicuspid, who, bad be been able 

 to get a false set, would have relieved himself of it years before. In the twenty-first audtweuty- 

 second sections, I recommend no change. # * * 



I do not consider it necessary to exempt all cases of umbilical hernia, as it is a very common 

 defect in negroes. In the twenty -fifth section, I rather think that large ulcerated bsemorrboids 

 should exempt; but perhaps it is better as it is, as the privilege might be abused. 



Bad cases of varicocele are more disqualifying than many cases of hernia. * # * 



The loss of either thumb, or of tbe ungual phalanx of either thumb, permanent contraction or 

 extension of any finger of tbe right hand except the little finger, should, I tbiiik, exempt. » * * 



Forty men can be examined i)er day (if tbe surgeon has a clerk to make all the necessary entries) 

 on au emergency ; but this could not be sustained for any length of time, for the continuous mental 

 and bodily exertion required would exhaust any ordinary man. Twenty-five volunteers or substitutes 

 is a proper average to do justice to the Government ; rather more than this of drafted men, for they 

 always have their claim ready, and, if it be sufficient to exempt, it renders it unnecessary to examine 

 the whole body. 



Drafted and enrolled men claim every variety of disease— dyspepsia, diseases of liver, kidneys, 

 heart, neck, and breast, internal haemorrhages, or any disease which cannot be determined by ocular 

 demonstration. Disease of the kidneys was a very common complaint ; and whenever I had reason, 

 from tbe appearance of the man, to doubt the existence of disease of tbese organs, notwithstand- 

 ing he might have a certificate from a physician to that effect, I carefully examined his urine 

 chemically and microscopically, always taking the precaution to make him pass it (the urine) in my 

 presence. 



• Eruptions are sometimes produced by croton-oil, but a physician familiar with eruptive diseases 

 is not apt to be deceived thereby. Tartar-emetic ointment and crotonoil were rubbed on the chest 

 in order to convince the surgeon of long-continued thoracic disease. Such cases were always 

 looked upon with suspicion, and more rigidly examined. As a general rule, no disease could be 

 "discovered. In alleged hernia, unless the jiresence of tbe tumor could be demonstrated, tbe claim 

 was not allowed, no matter what the character of the person might be. Substitutes and recruits, 

 would try to conceal hernia, varicose veins, partial ankylosis of joints, defects of hands and eyes, 

 &c. I can suggest no method of overcoming these difficulties, except a most careful and rigid 

 examination by the surgeon, as substitutes and volunteers will always attempt to deceive if they 

 have any defect. » * * 



Canada shows tbe least number rejected ; but it is very doubtful if any of these men were 

 actually natives of that country ; they were probably bounty -jumpers aiul deserters. Of course, it 

 was impossible for me to i)rove their nationality. Of the negroes rejected, this is much too large a 

 proportion, (253 examined, lo8 rejected,) as only witbin the last few days of the examination did I 

 examine negro volunteers, and persons drafted picked up any old negro to go as a substitute. Tbe 

 pure Africans— that is, with no admixture of blood— as a class, were the mostmuscularly developed 

 of any men examined. The mulattoes have more intelligence, from their being made house-servants, 

 and having been somewhat educated, but they were scrofulous and consumptive. I see no reason 

 why pure blacks should not make as good soldiers as any others. Being an imitative race and 

 accustomed to obey, they would soon acquire all that is necessary to make good soldiers if n-ell 

 officered. 



EnroUmcntlaic— It is especially defective as regards foreigners, as has been proved during 

 the late war. Foreigners constantly claimed protection of their consuls, saying that they were not 

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