382 surgeons' reports — Kentucky — eighth district. 



The inhabitants are for the mo8t part engaged in agricultural pursuits; a large number 

 employed as laborers for the support of themselves and families. The majority are quite independ- 

 ent, and there exists but little poverty or want. 



The most prevalent diseases, and those that are found to disqualify the greatest ratio of drafted 

 men, are diseases of the internal organs, first of the stomach and bowels, liver or digestive ©rgans, 

 and next of the Inngs and their appendages. The causes most conducive to these diseases are to be 

 found in excesses in eating and drinking, intemperance, and indolence. Climatic influences, due to 

 the variableness of the climate, are the fruitful source of disease of the lungs. The greatest number 

 of diseases are those afi'ectiug the vital orgaus, among which pulmonary diseases of every form are 

 conspicuous. 



Paragraph 85, Revised Regulations. — I do not know that the list of exemptions embraced in the 

 Eevised Eegulatious could be much improved; it is judicious and well selected. I am inclined, 

 however, to think varicocele a sufQcient cause for exemption. The loss of either eye should 

 exempt. There should be a fixed standard for height. 



From sixty to seventy men can be thoroughly and carefully examined in a day, with justice to the 

 men and to the Government. 



Diseases most frequently feigned. — Deafness, blindness, and affections of the heart are the dis- 

 eases or conditions most frequently feigned by drafted men. Hurried respiration and a rapid 

 circulation may sometimes be readily detected by delaying the examination. Eecruits, and those 

 desiring to enlist as substitutes, very frequently attempt to deceive as to their ages. Imbeciles, 

 epileptics, and those laboring under periodical diseases, occasionally desire to enlist as substitutes 

 or recruits. 



The American citizen, inured to out-door labor, is the best specimen of physical manhood, and 

 presents the greatest aptitude for the performance of any physical service. 



The colored race are not inferior to the whites in physical organization, except in the forma- 

 tion of the feet and ankles, in which a number are defective. 



The enrollment-law is greatly amended, but still there are some defects. This, however, may 

 not be in the law, but in its execution. Men should not be enrolled who are obviously and mani- 

 festly unfit for the service; and there should be some convenient mode of purging the rolls of the 

 names of those who are legally exempt before they are returned to the board of enrollment for 

 examination. A mixed commission, resident in each county or sub-district, or a civil magistrate, 

 with power to take proof, to administer oaths, and keep a record of the parties claiming legal 

 exemption, would have advantages and offer better facilities for correcting the rolls than the present 

 mode. 



The draft may not have accomplished all that was expected of it directly, but it certainly has 

 indirectly been a most potent means of filling up the ranks of our great army. 



S. F. GANO, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment Seventh District of Kentucky. 



Georgetown, Ky., July 15, 18C5. 



KENTUCKY— EIGHTH DISTRICT. 



Extracts from report of Dr. James D. Foster. 



* * * I have examined about twelve hundred drafted men, recruits, and substi- 



tutes, besides some two thousand enrolled men. 



Our district is composed of seventeen counties, and embraces an area equal in extent to nearly 

 one-fourth of the whole State of Kentucky. The most of it is a rough, broken, and mountainous 

 region, presenting a diversified surface of hills and valleys, mountains and glades. It is intersected 

 with rivers and creeks. The soil, as a general thing, is not very rich, but portions of the <listrict 

 contain as fine land as can be found in Kentucky. The counties of Madison and Garrard are par- 

 ticularly rich and productive. Corn, wheat, and hemp are the principal products. These counties 



