394 surgeons' keports — Missouri — eighth district. 



By my method I was uot able to examine more tlian ticentij men a day. 



Drafted men and enrolled men complained most of a " weak breast '" and rheumatism. I had in 

 some instances to use chloroform to ascertain that a pretended stiffness of either arm or leg' was 

 feigned. A little Irishman (drafted) walked around with a stiff knee, but forgot that he commenced 

 with the left knee, and after being under the iuflueuce of chloroform and told to march around 

 again lie was stiff in the right knee. After beinjj sworn in he confessed that he " wanted to i^lay a 

 trick on the surgeon." I believe that by letting the men know that examinations are conducted 

 very strictly, and that any fraud whatever will be detected, tliey will not be likely to nialce the 

 attempt. 



Our population is more honest and simple-minded than those in large cities, whicli is the reason 

 why we have not so many tricks played upon us. Rebels generally procured a substitute. Itecruits 

 and substitutes when they found that they were rejected offered bribes. The law is not strict 

 enough in regard to this. It is an insult to an officer to be offered money to make him forget his 

 duty, oath, and honor; and it would be well in future to punish the briber more severely than the 

 bribed. 



In regard to nationality, I think that the native-born American of the West is the most 

 suitable for military duties; his frame has been from childhood more exposed to the changes of 

 climate, and bis frugal way of living gives him a great advantage in enduring hardships in the 

 tield over any other nationality. 



As to physical qualifications of the colored race, I would say that, leaving out the mal- 

 formation of the feet, the negro is better qualified tor military service than many whites. lie is 

 more used to subordination, as most of the race have been slaves, and will in this regard make always 

 a better soldier. Bodily, the negro is more strongly developed, and his lungs expand more freely. 

 His muscles are better developed also ; in short, the African race when pure and not mixed with 

 white blood is more capable of enduring hardships, especially in low swampy countries and in hot 

 climates, than the white race. ^ * * 



J. E. VEETEK, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment Fifth District of Missouri. 



Jefferson City, Mo., July 30, 1SG5. 



MISSOURI— EIGHTH DISTRICT.' 

 E.itracts from rejwrt of Dk. Z. T. Knight. 



In reply to the tirst interrogation, I can state that I examined about three thousand men, and 

 found about fifty per cent, of the number fit for service. 



The general geograi)hical description of my district may be briefiy stated as follows : a high 

 rolling country, embracing the northeast corner of the State, and extending from the Mississippi 

 to the Missouri River; it is diversified iu prairie and timber, the former generally being on the 

 divides between the streams, and the land is sufficiently rolling to make it admirably adapted to 

 farming purposes, favorable to the health of the occupants, and with its rich soil well insuring a 

 large reward to the agriculturist, as well as producing all kinds of fruit. The timbered land is 

 mostly confined to the breaks and streams into which they lead, and is covered principally by 

 the different kinds of oak, walnut, elm, hickory, hackberrj", grape, &c. 



The country is sparsely populated, with inhabitants from all the States of the Union and from 

 Europe; but a large majority are from the States of-Tennessce, Kentucky, and Virginia, many of 

 whom brought slaves with them, settled on large tracts of land, and adopted a loose and slovenly 

 manner of larming and cultivation, raising corn, wheat, hemj), tobacco, hogs, cattle, and mules, 

 and in many instances accumulated considerable wealth. There are no poor people ; every one with 

 industry being able to support himself and family in a comfortable manner. 



After an experience of twenty-five years, I find the diseases of remittent and intermittent 

 fevers incident to early settlements of the West disappearing with the small log cabins iu which 



. 'No reports roceivod from tlio sixth auil scvoutli districts. 



