surgeons' KEPORTS— ILLINOIS — FIRST DISTRICT. 



431 



I linvc not exiiiniiicd a siifficiont luiiiibtT of the colored race to form an opinion of tlu'ir pbjsical 

 qualilications as coiiiiiartMl witii the white race. 



I am not prepared to offer an opinion of the operations of the enrollment-law, or to make any 



'iiggestions in reference to it. 



Wabash, Ind., May 20, 18C5. 



W. T. MENDEEHALL, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment Eleventh District of Indiana. 



ILLINOIS— FIRST DISTRICT. 

 Extracts from report of Dr. J. W. Freer. 



* » * My experience as snrgeon of the board of enrollment of the First District of 

 Illinois has extended over two years, during which time there have been examined by myself and 

 assistant about twelve thousand persons, including drafted men, recruits, substitutes, and those 

 claiming exemption from enrollment because of physical disability. 



The city of Chicago, situate in the First Congressional District of Illinois, (Cook County,) con- 

 tains a population of about two hundred thousand. The county itself, independently of the city, 

 contains aliogether about Ul'ty thousand inhabitants. It is bounded on the east by Lake Michigan, 

 on the north by Lake County, on the west by Kane and Du Page Counties, and on the south by 

 Will County. 



The general surface is level, while that of the adjoining counties is quite undulating. The soil 

 is mostly black loam, resting on abed of yellow clay, beneath which is a stratum of limestone. 



Chicago is situated on the lake shore, and is traversed by theChictago River and its tributa- 

 ries. The surroundiug country is i)rairie, and our streets are as flat as a bowling-green. The only 

 break to the monotony occurs in the pavements, which frequently rise from the ordinary- floor for 

 foot-i)assengers to the height of Irom two to five feet; they are reached by a chain of steps, giving 

 an ui) and down stair appearance to the city. Previous to the adoption of an efticient system of 

 sewerage, the streets (like the open country) were well saturated with filth and all manner of 

 abominations. 



The entire drainage, including a portion of the fluid offal running from the extensive slaugh- 

 tering houses, empties into the Chicago River, and renders it at times exceedingly foul and dis- 

 gusting. It has been calculated from analysis that every tenth particle in the river consists of the 

 debris of organic! matter; and this is tlie kind of fluid which permeates every portion of our wonder- 

 ful city. The atmosphere, in its general character, is rather humid, and the temperature very 

 varied, ranging sometimes from summer heat to near zero in a few hours. The following table will 

 give some idea of the climate : 



Notwithstanding the natural and artificial disadvantages above enumerated, Chicago is the 

 healthiest city in the United States, as shown by the following statistical table of comparative 

 mortality, in the principal cities, in ditterent parts of the country : 



