surgeons' reports WISCONSIN FIFTH DISTRICT. 473 



This I have been able to demonstrate from the examinations of lumbermen as compared with 

 farmers and shoemakers. The lumbermen (unless they have hernia) are universally good recruits, 

 having abundance of vitality, with muscles well developed; they are a brave, cheerful, and hardy 

 class. In one sub-district is a large tannery, and a boot and shoe manufactory, emi)loying severnl 

 hundred hands; of these mechanics nearly sisty-tive per cent, were disciiarged from enrollment, 

 before the draft, for physical disability. Very few among them who had prosecuted their trade for 

 ten years but had organic disease of heart or lungs ; very many of them had i)htliisis ; nearly nil 

 appeared with thorax flattened, muscles wasted, and generally impaired vitality. 



Race. — Under this head I am compelled to say that such an admixture has been presented to 

 this board as to render discrimination very difficult. My experience in the physical qualifications 

 of the colored race has been too limited to warrant an opinion, not having examined more than 

 twenty five recruits. 



Of the Indian race I have examined about one hundred and thirty men, embracing half-breeds 

 of the Stockbridge, Brothertown, Chijjpewa, Oneida, and Menoinoiice tribes; of these men only 

 about ten percent, were rejected as physically disqualified, and most of these for extensive cica- 

 trices from burns or' incised wounds. Only one case of hernia occurred, but neither varicocele nor 

 varicose veins of the extremities. There were three or four cases of s(;rofula and secondary syphilis. 



I learn from officers commanding these men that they were good soldiers, being unsurpassed 

 for scouting or picket duty, but quite unable to stand a charge or artillery fire. 



My observations fail to verify the assertion of some statistical writers that the Irishman pos- 

 sesses the greatest physical at)titnde for military service. While it is true that his limbs are more 

 symmetrical, his feet better arched, and his temperament more ardent than is found to be the case 

 in the Teutonic race, still it must be confessed he has usually more vehemence than discretion, and 

 though courngeous, it is the counige of impulse rather than the result of deliberate valor. 



From four yeans' ex[)erience in the field, in hospitals, and as exaujiniiig-surgeon of this board, 

 I am decidedly of opinion that the mixed races as found in the descendants of the early settlers of 

 New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, where physical development and courage are 

 combined with intelligence and i)atriotism, make the best soldiers the world has ever seen, and as 

 a class by far excel the representatives of any European state. 



Though I regard the enrollment-law as somewhat defective, I look upon the failure to carry out 

 some of its expressed provisions as still more to be regretted. I have already alluded to the hostility 

 to the law in certain localities in this district, nor has this hostility abated particularly since its 

 operationshave ceased ; but many who formerly had respect for the Government and the laws enacted 

 by it now feel a contempt for both. This feeling is produced by the return of a large number of 

 deserters among them ; these men having now returned to their old homes, in some townships are 

 reported to be a majority of the voting population, and will exercise the elective francise as for- 

 merly. They are fully aware that this board has no power to arrest them, and that the Govern- 

 ment has no longer use for them, and hence they make little or no concealment of the fact that they 

 have evaded the service due to the country, and take occasion to insult returned soldiers, who, as is 

 natural, are constantly complaining of this state of things. 



I would recommend the revision of the law so far as to accept no recruits under eighteen years 

 of age ; young lads have not the physical stamina adequate, and soon become weary and discour- 

 aged, only cumbering the ambulances and hospitals. 



H. O. CRANE, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment Fifth District of Wisconsin. 



Green Bat, Wis., May 30, 1865. 

 60 



