the treatment is almost exclusively palliative. Marching, by occasioning friction and pressure, produces inflammation, which excites excessive torture. Thus any man having large bunions is unfit for a soldier.

Overlying, or supernumerary toes, on a march commonly become sore, consequent on the friction, completely disabling the soldier. The toes frequently have a bent distribution, the points being exceedingly turned down, the dorsum of each is projected anteriorly; this may likewise disqualify. The exclusiveness of these disabilities may be somewhat less comprehensive for cavalry, but if extensive are equally inadmissible

Ganglions are seldom met in connexion with the feet, except on the instep, in which situation I have known them create considerable annoyance.

“16.— Ulcers, or unsound cicatrices of ulcers likely to break out afresh."

This prohibition can scarcely be received in too literal a sense, a breach of continuity sufficient to be denominated an ulcer, from the possible tediousness of cure, from the power the individual has of increasing it, if not wishing to be finally approved, and other obvious reasons, is inadmissible in a recruit. Extensive cicatrices, except from injury, are usually symptomatic of depraved general health, and cicatrices, though of limited degree, independent of cause, if in relation with unhealthy integument, or adherent to bone, as constantly seen with reference to the tibia, are adequate causes of rejection.

“17,—Diseases, whether acute or chronic, for which medical treatment is required."

In the spirit at least upon all occasions this must be understood as the instructions dictate. Some latitude from the literal prohibition in slight cases might be allowed under the following condition. In the instance of a medical officer examining for his own regiment, was a fine well-made robust recruit brought before him, a trifling injury or affection which every man can estimate ought not to necessarily cause disapproval. Yet, I believe, was a medical officer examining a man, not for his own regiment, but for the service generally, he could hardly be too particular in conforming with the letter of the instructions upon this subject. Syphilis in any form, either as a primary or secondary disease, is an unqualified cause of rejection.

"18.-Traces of corporal punishment are an unqualified cause of rejection."

Traces of flogging are, of late years, much less likely to be discovered than formerly, as fifty lashes comprise the extreme punishment within the power of a court martial to award. Very rarely can permanent marks remain from the severest infliction of such a sentence; five, six, and even seven hundred lashes are frequently recorded as having been inflicted without leaving any marks of punishment. Traces of the letter D should always be looked for, as it is sometimes erased. Instances have occurred

where men have been approved bearing unequivocal evidences of erasure of this mark. The letter D can rarely be removed without leaving some evidence. Any mark on the left side of the chest, in the usual situation of this stigma, ought to be viewed with great suspicion.

Recruits ought to be inspected in as large a room and in as good light as possible. The investigation cannot be fully prosecuted in a small or dark situation. No man, while intoxicated, should be examined. The medical officer, hospital sergeant, and recruit, should alone occupy the examination

room.

"VI. Every Recruit is to be undressed before inspection, in order to detect any blemishes, and his examination is to be conducted as follows:

:

"VII. Upon entering the inspection room, the recruit is to walk across it several times pretty smartly, to shew whether he has the perfect use of his legs. He is then to be halted, and set up in the position of a soldier underarms, with the knees about an inch apart, and examined both in front and rear from head to foot. Should no material defect be discovered, the recruit is next to perform, in imitation of the hospital sergeant, the following evolutions: to extend the arms at right angles with the trunk of the body, to touch the shoulders with the fingers, to place the backs of the hands together above the head—and in this position he is to cough, while the examiner's hand is applied to the rings of the external oblique muscles. The spermatic chord and testes are to be examined, and the

medical officer is to pass his hands over the bones of the legs. The recruit is then to stand upon one foot, and move the ankle joint of each extremity alternately; and if any doubt is entertained respecting the efficiency of this joint, or any part of the leg or foot, the recruit is to hop upon the suspected limb for a short period, and its size and aspect are to be compared with those of the corresponding joint or part of the opposite limb. He is next to kneel on one knee, then on the other, and subsequently on both knees. Then to stoop forward and place his hands on the ground, and while in this position it ought to be ascertained whether he be affected with hemorrhoids. He is then to extend his arms and hands forward for examination, and to bend and extend the fingers, and to rotate the forearm. The head is next to be examined, including the scalp, ears, eyes, nose, and mouth; the faculties of hearing and distinct enunciation are to be ascertained. In regard to the mental faculties, the inspecting medical officer should invariably ask the recruit a few short questions, such as to what corps he belongs, what occupation he had previously followed, &c. &c., with a view to ascertain the condition of the intellect."

It is impossible to point out an elementary feature connected with the examination of recruits, that needs more constantly to be remembered than the assistance derivable from a system in investigation. The recruit should be inspected according to a determinate routine and never deviated from, since if an alteration is made it leads to frequent changes and occasionally no doubt to omissions; and though a medical officer may be anxious and intelligent, a disability may escape detection from

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the circumstance of passing over, during the examination, the actual objectionable point. If step by step the same system is always pursued, the non-observance of a disability can seldom occur. I feel confident that to changing the routine, altering the arrangement and precedence of the steps of the investigation of the various organs and regions, is attributable occasionally the approval of men unfit for the service. Likewise, as sometimes happens, the judging of fine-looking recruits by their tout ensemble, (who from their general prepossessing appearance induce a more than usual cursory examination,) overlooking fatal faults in particular situations, would by this arrangement be avoided.

“VIII. The next point is to learn whether a recruit has had small pox or been vaccinated.

"IX. When a recruit is approved, the attestation is to be filled up and signed by the inspecting medical officer.

66 X. Under the head "Remarks and Observations" in the Register for Recruits, all incidental facts of importance are to be recorded, including the causes for which recruits are rejected, blemishes, peculiar marks, &c.

"XI. Should a medical officer, or private medical practitioner, intermediately approve of a recruit who has a trivial blemish, such as a slight cicatrix on the leg, the surgeon of the corps to which the man belongs is to be duly apprised thereof; and if he detects a recruit previously examined simulating disabilities, he is to inform the surgeon of the fact, by attaching a slip of paper to the man's attestation. District surgeons are also directed to conform with this rule."