41fi SURGEONS REPORTS OHIO SEVENTEENTH DISTRICT. 



that their destruction coniriiences at once upou emerging from tbe jaws. The prevalent habit of 

 the people of this district to indulge in hot drinks, the use of a great variety of acids and alivalies, 

 and large quantities of sugar in food, the almost universal use of tobacco and the enormous con- 

 sumption of alcoholic stimuli, the influence of climate — all have doubtless in some way their share 

 in bringing about the repulsive condition of the breath which too often bears upou it the foulest 

 odors of dental rottenness. But to show how any of these general or special causes produce 

 such a result would involve a discussion of the subject of nutrition such as would far exceed the 

 limits of a report like this, and especially would it exceed my ability, with the limited facilities at 

 baud for such a purpose. Pi'actically, there is one observation worthy of note: the experience of 

 tlie last four years has shown me that there are in this district a great number of stalwart men 

 between the ages of twenty land forty-five years who have met with the loss of the front, eye, and* 

 first molar teeth, men who present no evidence in their physique of any serious infliction upon it 

 by the loss. 



What has been said as to giving good "reasons why" loss of teeth disqualify so large a per- 

 centage for military service is in some degree true iu regard to hernia in this district. To the 

 number of cases of hernia produced by accident or the application of sudden violence, no doubt 

 vast multitudes m'ust be added as the result of the practice, so widely prevalent, of swathing the 

 abdomen of the newly-born infant in a tight, inelastic bandage, thus necessarily compelling its 

 contained viscera to attempt with violence every avenue of escape from its cruel confinement, 

 especially during their constantly-repeated Jits of crying and other exertions induced by the ever- 

 present infliction. If hernia is not immediately produi;ed, the mechanical force thus constantly 

 applied in a mode so admirably adapted to prevent the complete formation of the inguinal ring, 

 still imperfectly constructed, must surely lay the foundation for some of its forms. 



This disability seems to pervade all classes of our community, as well those whose lives are 

 tranquil and avocations sedentary as those given to constant exertion and feats of strength. In 

 this district, the foreign population is more affected witii this serious disability than the native, and 

 of these the German exhibits the largest percentage. 



The numerous discharges from the Army for this disability suggest that the kind of pressure 

 above referred to is a cause why the ratio is increased by it in adult life; for the infantry-mau 

 wears a broad, inflexible belt, tightly drawn about the upper abdomen, to .which is attached a 

 bayonet, cartridge-box, and ammunition, and the cavalry are continually dragging a heavy saber 

 dangling from the sword-belt. I apprehend that these causes iu infantile and iu later life have 

 mucii to do iu the production of so large a number of cases of haemorrhoids, both disqualifying and 

 otherwise. 



The great increase oi power in the mechanic arts, especially through steam; its wide diffu- 

 sion in almost every department of human industry ; the widespread use of heavy machinery iu 

 tbe production and securing of the great staples of this district, as well as in the shops devoted to 

 an infinite variety of manufactures in wood, iron, and other metals, thus bringing all classes of 

 our population in almost immediate contact with gigantic force and velocity of motion, is the oidy 

 reason I know for the large ratio per thousand disqualified for uiilitary service by fractures, dislo- 

 cations, wounds, and mechanical injuries geneially. In this district, especially, this class of dis- 

 abilities is increased by the constant throng of ponderous steam-engines and immense trains of 

 cars that traverse it over its two long lines of railway, and the numerous large shops associated 

 with its operations. 



The more extended my experience in the use of paragraph 85, Revised Regulations, Provost- 

 Marshal-General's Bureau, tbe more convinced I am of its wisdom ; if auy exception is to be 

 taken to any of its provisions, section 20 might perhaps with justice be so construed as to hold 

 fit for garrison duty a large army of apparently vigorous men now acquitted of all responsibility. 



Where the total loss of tbe front, eye, and first molar teeth in one jaw exists without visible 

 impairment of constitutional vigor or other morbid conditiou, in ordinary civil life, I see no good 

 reason why the subject should not be available for military service in any locality where soft bread 

 can be obtained, and, in fact, in any locality where such rations are furnished as should be pro- 

 vided an army anywhere^in this country. * * • 



