360 surgeons' repobts — west Virginia — third district. 



of the board, giviug au exact account of all cases of exemption, stating the particular disease or 

 disability; the whole arranged so as to suit the divisions established in paragraph 85 of the pres- 

 ent revised regulations. * * * 



E. E. DOESEY, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment Fifth District of Maryland. 

 Ellicott's Mills, Md., June 12, 1865. 



WEST VIEGINIA— SECOND DISTElCT.i 

 Extracts from report of De. Thomas Kennedy. 



* * * My term of office has continued about ten months. The number of men 

 examined during that time was sixteen hundred. 



The Second District of West Virginia is generally mountainous, heavily timbered, well watered, 

 and healthy. The most prevalent diseases are dyspepsia and rheumatism, caused by the use of 

 hot bread, the excessive use of cotJ'ee and tobacco, and imprudent out-door exposure. The inhabi- 

 kuits generally are engaged in agriculture. 



Dyspepsia and its concomitants has probably disqualified a greater ratio from military service 

 in this district than any other disease. 



In reference to the diflf'ereut sections of paragraph 85, 1 have no suggestions to make, except it be 

 in respect to section 23, hernia. This section, I think, should be modified so as not to exempt all cases 

 of hernia. I am well aware of the fact that many persons slightly raptured have been enduring 

 all the fatigues and hardships of the service since this war commenced without suffering any great 

 inconvenience. * # * 



As regards the number of men that can be accurately examined in a day, I would say that I have 

 examined at this office from sixty-five to seventy-five per day, recruits and substitutes. 



Of the frauds practiced by recruits and drafted ineu, I found rheumatism the most frequently 

 feigned by the latter and the most easily concealed by the former. 



" What nation presents the greatest ^physical aptitude for military service f " — I reply, the Ameri- 

 can. 



* * * In the examination of over one hundred colored men at this office, 

 I found the ratio of those physically qualified for military service equal at least to that of the 

 whites. * ♦ • 



THOMAS KENNEDY, 

 Surgeon of Board of Enrollment Second District of West Virginia. 

 Geapton, W. Va., May 29, 1865. 



WEST VIRGINIA— THIRD DISTRICT. 

 Extracts from report of De. S. G. Shaw. 



* • * The returns already forwarded give a detailed account of men examined by 



me and my predecessor. Dr. James Putney, from the 7th day of October, 1864, to the 14th day of 

 April, 1865, numbering six hundred and ninety-seven. There was no record of medical examina- 

 tions kept in this office prior to October, 1864. For the mbst part being young and healthy men, 

 coming from all parts of the nineteen counties of which this district is composed, there were scarcely 

 any cases of physical malformation, nor were there observable any traces of latent disease which 

 would eventually unfit the recruit} for the arduous and trying duties of a soldier's life. This healthy 

 condition I attribute to the geograjihical position of the country. Lying between 37° and 40° north 

 latitude, it is not affected by the extremes of either heat or cold; and being situated on the swiftly- 

 flowing Ohio River, with her many tributaries passing through the ravines of its rolling or semi- 



' Ko lepoit was received from the first district. 



