surgeons' reports ILLINOIS — THIRTEENTH DISTRICT. 451 



respcctiible pliysiciims under oath. With recrnits tbesc diseases are cautiously disguised, together 

 with iiii])eileet vision of botli ejes, wliich latter disability niiglit uot be discovered without 

 artiticially testiug their capacity with belladonna, which frequently becomes uecessary. 



I regard the nationality presenting the greatest physical aptitude for military service as the 

 German, their former military training having developed the physical system, which enablesthem to 

 endure the fatigue of marches and the exposure of camp life. 



I have observed in the colored race a remarkable firmness and apparent strength of muscle, 

 with general superior phy.sical qualifications for labor and endurance, with nearly an entire exemi»- 

 lion (rom hernia and varicose veins, a disability so very common among white men. Their teeth are 

 generally sound until im])aired by age. 



I regard the enrollment-law in its present form, including ameudnieuts which have been made, 

 as well adapted to the interests of the service ; but, without arrogance upon my part, or toomuch zeal 

 in behalf ot the profession to which I belong, I would recommend changes in the law which would 

 secure a higher order of talent from the medical profession, and to this end I know of no better 

 means than increase of rank and pay, and requiring each member of the board to be subjected to 

 an examination as the proper test of his scientific, literary, and moral fitness for the position he 

 may occupy. 



E. E. BABCOGK, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment Eighth District of Illinois. 



Springfield, III., AFay 24, 1805. 



ILLINOIS— THIETEENXn DISTRICT.' 



Edfracts from rqwrt of Du. Isaac ]\I. Neely. 



* * * The total number of men examined is about one thousand five hundred. 



The Thirteenth Congressional District is the extreme southern part of the State, and is com- 

 posed of fifteen counties. It is bounded' on the east by the Wabash Kiver, which is the dividing 

 line between the States of Illinois and Indiana; by the Ohio on the south, and the Mississippi on 

 the west. There are several small streams flowing through it which are subject to annual over- 

 flow, the bottoms from two to ten miles in width being at such times covered with water. In the 

 northern part are several small prairies; the remainder is timber, rather level. 



The prevalent diseases are periodic fevers, the remittent (bilious) type being most prevalent. 

 Diarrhoea and dysentery frequently visit us, and the latter when in an epidemic form is very fatal. 



The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits. They are thrifty, industrious, 

 and peaceable, (setting aside some sprinkling of copperheads.) * # * 



Section of paragraph S5, in my opinion, should include cases of less gravity than developed 

 tuberculosKS. 



Section 11. Many rheumatic subjects are so sensitij^e to the injurious eflects of exposure 

 that upon such exposure they are at once subjected to more or less violent attacks of rheumatism 

 in some form, disabling them for a time; and yet many of these men by care can attend to the 

 ordinary duties of their several vocations. Such cases, upon sufficient testimony under oath, 

 should be exempted. 



Section 13. There are cases of near-sightedness so very marked as to render the persons wholly 

 unfit for military duty. 



Section 22. A man with unquestionable caries of spine may be drafted at a time just prior to 

 its ulceration, which latter is impending; should the section not, therefore, be modified to meet such 

 cases? # # # 



The number of men who could be examined in a day would depend upon whether they claimed 

 exemption or not; in the former, I would not think of examining over three per hour upon an 

 average. A mere inspection would suffice to reject some, and some surgeons possess extraordinary 

 tact in this matter, which may be referred to instinct educated, llien, .ngain, many men re(iuire an 

 hour's careful examination, while at other times a dozen may be honestly examined in an hour. It 



'No reports were received from tlie uiiitli, tenth, elevenlli, or twcll'th distiiet. 



