surgeons' REPOUTS INDIANA FOURTH DISTRICT. 425 



The soil of this level portiou is of a clayey nature and inclined to be wet, unless very favorably 

 situated for drainage. 



The greater iiortion of the people of the district are agriculturists, and in character are hardy 

 and industrious, though as a general rule but poorly educated. Manufacturing is engaged in to a 

 limited extent. 



The prevailing diseases in the counties bordering on the Ohio are of a bilious character, prob- 

 ably owing to the nature of the soil and water. In other parts of the district there is nothing 

 peculiar in the couforinatiou of the country to give particular prevalence to one disease above 

 another. 



Hernia in its diiferent forms has, lu my opinion, disqualified for the military service a gre.ater 

 ratio per thousand than any other disease. 



I have no suggestions to make in regard to changes in any section of paragraph 85, Revised 

 Kegulations Provost-Marshal-General's Bureau. 



My method of examination was to strip the nuxn imked, examine him carefully on all the 

 points mentioned in the Kevised Eegulations, and report the result to the board. 



These examinations were always made iu the presence of the entire board. 



In my opinion, /or/^ men are as many as should be exaniined physically per day. 



I would say, from my own experience, that the diseases which enrolled and drafted men most 

 usually endeavor to feign in order to procure exemption are rheumatism, deafness, stammering, and 

 ankylosis of a joint. The frauds which the substitute and recruit practice in order to get into the 

 service consist in trying to conceal permanent defects iu vision, hernia, fistula iu ano, or extensive 

 intenial haimorrhoids. The only suggestion I have to make in this connection is to wipe out the 

 whole substitute system, as it has been the source of more trouble than any other part of the enroll- 

 ment-act. I would suggest in lieu of it the substitution of that clause in the tirst act of enrollment 

 commuting service, but so amended as to require a larger couimutatiou. 



I think the Germans have the greatest physical aptitude for military service. 



My experience in regard to the physical qualifications of the colored race lor military service 

 is favorable to their employment. I find them much better developed than the whites, and I was 

 struck iu the examination of that class with the tact that so few were afdicted with hernia, whi(h, 

 considering the hard labor they have been accustomed to perform, is worthy of note. 



In addition to the few changes I have above suggested in reierence to the enrollment-law as it 

 exists, I would respectfully advocate the abolishment of the office of commissioner. 1 never have 

 seen the necessity for that office.- Its duties could as well be performed by a clerk. * * 



W. F. COLLUM, 

 Surgeon Board of EnroUmertt Second District of Indiana. 



Jeffersonville, Ind., May 30, 18C5. 



INDIANA— FOURTH DISTRICT." 

 ExtracU from report of Dr. E. P. Bond. 



* * * The number of persons examined at this ofiice within the last two years will 

 not vary materially from four thousand. 



The Fourth Congressional District embraces the southeastern part of the State of Indiana. 



The Ohio and Great Miami Rivers bound the southeastern piirt, and the Whitewater River 

 passes through its eastern liorder. 



The river-counties Ohio and Dearborn, including Franklin on the Whitewater, are consider- 

 ably broken iu surface. The hills or elevations from the river to the uplands are high, and are 

 penetrated by numerous creeks. The uplands for a considerable distance form ridges, gradually 

 si)reading out into flat or level land. The counties of Ripley, Decatur, and Rush are mostly of the 

 last-named character. In Ripley and the southeastern part of Decatur Counties the lands are wet, 

 and the soil thin ; the subsoil is mostly clay. In the oorthcrn and western part of Decatur County 



' No report was received from the tliird district. 

 54 



