424 surgeons' reports — indiaxa — second district. 



made and provided. He should study carefully the manuals of iustruction for enlisting and dis- 

 charging soldiers, with special reference to the medical examination of recruits and the detection 

 of disqualifying and feigned diseases. Then, with an honest heart, intent on discharging his duties 

 to the Government, the surgeon will seldom fail to detect imi)Ositions. 



In reply to the inquiry what nationality presents the greatest physical aptitude for military 

 service, I reply, the American, in his stature and development, his energy and intelligence, as a 

 soldier has no superior. 



I have had but very little experience in the examination of colored men for military service. 

 The few I have examined have been of good physical development. 



With regard to the operations of the enrollment- law as it now exists, I do not feel myself 

 competent to express an intelligent opinion. Since the last amendment, my entire time has been 

 occupied in the examination of men, so much so that its practical operation has not been observed. 

 I am of opinion, however, that if it could be so modified tbat the enrollment made under it 

 and the State enrollments of the several States were alike, it might be a saving to the General Gov- 

 ernment. For instance, the State of Ohio has a law for military organization. Every male person 

 between the ages of eighteen and forty-five is required to do military service in the national guards 

 or pay a commutation of four dollars per year into the county treasury, unless disqualified by some 

 infirmity. The enrollment is taken every spring. A surgeon is appointed in each county to examine 

 such as claim exemption, and give them a certificate, if entitled to it, which they present to the 

 county auditor, who erases their names from the rolls, thus purging them of the names of those 

 who have a permanent physical disability. 



If the United States enrollment- law and the law of the State of Ohio embraced the same ages, 

 might not a copy of the corrected enrollmeot from the auditor's office subserve every purpose and 

 save the Government much expense 1 



In reference to the commutation of four dollars per year, there might be a proviso that should 

 apply as now intended to limit exemi)tion simply from military drill and not from any State or 

 General Government requisition for soldiers. 



In times of war, insurrection, or rebellion, it would perhaps require a law with all the minutise 

 and efficiency of the present enrollment-law, as some States might have bepome lax in their military 

 organization, or the General Government might desire facilities of action independent of them. 



GEOKGE W. HOWE, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment Nineteenth District of Ohio. 



Warren, Ohio, May 24, 1865. 



INDIANA— SECOND DISTRICT.' 



Extracts from report of Dr. W. F. Collum. 



* * * I entered upon my duties May 29, 1863. During the time I have been a mem- 

 ber of the board I have examined five thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven (5,897) recruits, 

 drafted, and enrolled men. 



The district consists of eight counties, viz, Clark, Scott, Washington, Orange, Floyd, Harrison, 

 Crawford, and Perry. The Ohio Kiver forms the southern boundary of the district, and the coun- 

 try bordering upon it is of course hilly and broken. A range of bills, commonly designated as 

 "The Knobs," extends from tlje Ohio Eiver northwardly through Floyd and Wasbington Counties. 

 Owing to the broken and rolling surface of the district, it is tolerably well drained, which desirable 

 end is also promoted by a considerable number of small streams, tributaries to the Ohio and 

 Wabash Elvers. 



In accordance with the general character of the country, those streams traversing the south- 

 ern portion of the district are deeper and more rapid than those draining the northern and western 

 counties, where the valleys are wide and the streams sluggish. 



A considerable part of Clark and Scott Counties is quite level or gently undulating. 

 ' There was uo report received from the lirst district. 



