surgeons' reports — MINNESOTA — SECOND DISTRICT. 477 



deception. Niue-tentbs of tbe.se frauds were perpetrated by tbe foreign-born population. Two 

 cases of simuhxted eiupbyseina bave been before lue. Air was introduced tbrougb punctures into 

 tbe cellular tissue of the cbest, and so skillfully was it done that one man, Cbarles Kissner, aided 

 by bis general appearance and an old fracture of tbe ribs, succeeded in obtaining exemption. The 

 other man, James Stratton, presenting every appearance of stout and nigged bealtli, suspicions 

 were excited, and investigation finally disclosed tbe fact that tbe operations on these men liad 

 been performed by " a doctor" of Saint Anthony. An attemi)t to simulate double inguinal liernia, 

 by tbe same means, was readily detected. Gbrouic ulcers bave been IVequently imitated or 

 exaggerated. When any doubts existed, confinement in the quarters under strict watcli, and 

 the removal of all irritants from tbe reach of the man, generally decided tbe question. One 

 case of this kind deserves mention; it is that of Nicholas Wee, a drafted man. AVliun exam- 

 ined, his feet presented the appearance of raw flesh. They bad evideutly been subjected to the 

 influence of powerful irritants. As the best means of unfolding the fraud, tbe man was dismissed 

 with a certificate of exemption. After sixty days, he was arrested and brought before me. His 

 feet bad nearly recovered, and it was finally ascertaineil that tbe original appearance bad been 

 caused by soaking tbe feet in very strong hot lye. This be had practiced for ten days prior to his 

 first examination. Two cases of amputation of index-finger of right band, to escape tbe dralt, bave 

 come under my notice. Tbe perpetrators were evidently not well informed concerning the grounds 

 of exemption. Pretended ankylosis of tbe joints, generally of tbe shoulders, has been frequent. 

 Watching an opportunity when the man is off bis guard, a sudden effort by the surgeon will cause 

 the joint to freely recover its motion. Chronic rheumatism is often simulated. Section 11 of 

 paragraph 85, Kevised Eegulatious, Provost-Marsbal-General's Bureau, gives ample instructions 

 for deciding these cases. 



Several cases of alleged heart-disease b(ive come under my notice. The excited and irregular 

 action of tbe heart and the high pulse were caused by drugs administered for that purpose. Con- 

 finement in tbe quarters for a few days, under strict watch, dissipated all of the symptoms. Deaf- 

 ness is often feigned. When no doubt exists as to tbe man's ^arfiai deafness, it is often very diffi- 

 cult to decide whether he is or is not exaggerating his infirmity. Such cases require all the 

 patience and tact of tbe surgeou. Measured by the applications for exemiition, thirty men in every 

 thousand in this district bave epilepsy. Tbe mere statement is sufficient proof that a great propor- 

 tion of these applications were fraudulent. The only safeguard is to require that tbe affidavit of 

 the physician shall state explicitly that be has attended on the man when the epileptic fit was 

 actually on him, and to require also that the physician be a ni;;n of undoubted character and 

 standing. 



The surgeon is often called upon to give an opinion in ca.ses of. applications for exemption for 

 unsuitableness of age. Innumerable attempts at fraud under this bead have been made in this 

 district. In all cases of doubt, documentary evidence, such as baptismal records, passports, family- 

 records, &c., should be required, and these should be closely scrutinized. Many instances of 

 forged and altered documents of this description have been detected. The identity of names also 

 opens the door to many frauds. Tbe certificate of the baptism of John Murphy answers indiscrimi- 

 nately for all the John Murpbys in tbe district. The drafted or enrolled man is sometimes repre- 

 sented by another who is undoubtedly over age. These frauds, however, are generally exposed by 

 the man's neighbors and townsmen. 



Large local bounties act as an incentive to recruits and substitutes to practice frauds. The 

 object is to pass the examination of the surgeon of the board of enrollment, be mustered, and draw 

 the local bounty.' They are next examined by the board of surgeons at general rendezvous. The 

 object of tbe man is then to be rejected ; if he succeeds, he is discharged, retaining tbe bounty, and 

 has made a speculation quite as lucrative as bounty -jumping, and lacking the attendant danger of 

 punishment. The statement of recruits and substitutes who have recently enlisted and received 

 large bounties should be received by the esamining-surgeons at general rendezvous with extreme 

 caution and many grains of allowance It is evidently aiding and encouraging these frauds to 

 reject men when tbe recorded reasons are the men's own stateuients, " that a cut on the foot 

 received when a child prevents him from wearing shoes'' — "that a varicocele (which shows for 

 itself) prevents him from walking" — " that he has weak ankles" — "that he was discharged from 



