surgeons' reports — NEVADA. 501 



I bave no experience as to tlie physical qualifications of the colored race for military eervico. 

 Their muscular development is very fine, and if appearance indicate anything, they ought to make 

 good soltliers. 



TIFFIN SINKS, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment, Northern District of Kansas. 

 Leavenworth, Kans., July 1, 1865. 



NEVADA. 



Extracts from report of Dr. Thomas H. Pinkerton. 



* * My experience in the examination of men for military service has been 



very limited, baviug acted under a contract as examining and attending surgeon for this post from 

 February 1st, ISCl, until April 13tli, ISGo, a period of fifteen months only. 



In noticing tiie general geographical features of Nevada, I can only say they have been but 

 cursorily examined, being a barren, rocky, mountainous region, abounding in great mineral wealth, 

 and extending over a region of sixty-five thousand square miles. The mines, however, are the 

 principal objects which have attracted people here from every part of the world. Gold and silver, 

 by a natural illusion, have always shone in the eyes of mankind with a luster beyond that of all 

 other metals. 



Brief mention may also be made of other minerals, namely, copper, iron, lead, and tin, to which 

 may be added arsenic, magnesia, potassium, sodium; and by almost daily discoveries the list is 

 increased. 



The characteristic feature of the country is its extreme dryness, rain seldom falling for eight 

 months out of the twelve ; the cause of this may be found in its great altitude. By its position 

 and formation it may be considered, in general terms, as necessarily healthy. 



There are no diseases at this time to be noted as prevalent, with the exception of the process 

 of acclimation, which may be mentioned as a somewhat ailing period. During the winter months 

 we have erysipelas, pneumonia, and typhoid fever, and these may be generally attributed to undue 

 exposure to cold, and the too frequent use 8f alcoholic stimulants. Bilious-remittent fever, or, as 

 known here, "mountain-fever," is considered as an acclimatizing process, necessary to the enjoy- 

 ment of good health by those who visit the mountains for the first time, but the cases are ex- 

 tremely rare, seldom claiming any attention. 



Nevada forms the western side of the great basin inclosed by the Rocky Mountains on the 

 east, and the long continuous range of the Sierra Nevada on the west, and extending the entire 

 length of California. The principal mountain of note from this standpoint (Virginia City) is 

 Mount Davidson, which is estimated as being 7,000 feet above the level of the sea, and is covered 

 principally with a useless shrub called "sage-brush." 



The character of the people is such as is usual in mining districts, all kinds and conditions 

 flocking hither to better themselves, and migrating as soon as their finances will allow; consequently 

 the population is constantly shifting, and in this matter alone a statement perfectly correct to-day 

 would be wholly inaccurate in a month or two. 



Turning now to military matters of inquiry, I would state, in answer to question No. 3, that hav- 

 ing had no call for drafted men in this section of the country, I have had no experience with that 

 class of recruits, and in referring to my register during my term of service as examining and attend- 

 ing surgeon, I find that there have been one hundred and eighty-four examined, and of this number 

 fourteen were rejected for the following causes: rupture, 7; artificial teeth, 2; prolapsus ani, 2; 

 necrosis of tibia, and h;emorrhoids, 1 ; syphilitic rheumatism, 1 ; varicose veins, 1 ; total, 11. 



Rupture, it will be seen, comprises fifty per cent, of the cases. The cause is quite apparent 

 when I state that the men, having been i)reviously engaged in mining, were subjected to heavy lift- 

 ing while in a stooping position. 



Thus you will observe that my experience having been very limited it would hardly warrant my 

 recommending, or even proposing, any changes as desired in article 4. * * • 



