AN EPITOME 
OF 
T RIPLERS MANUAL, 
FOR THE 
EXAMINATION OF RECRUITS. 
WASHINGTON: 
Government Printing Office. 
1884. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, 
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE, 
Washington, June 10, 188If. 
This epitome of Tripler’s Manual, prepared by Major 
Charles R. Greenleaf, Surgeon U. S. Army, is published 
for the information and guidance of recruiting officers in the 
examination of applicants for enlistment into the United States 
Army. 
By command of Lieut. Gen’l Sheridan: 
R. C. DRUM, 
Adjutant General. 
a The following epitome of Tri peer’s Manual is intended 
for the guidance and use of Recruiting Officers in the exam- 
ination of applicants for enlistment into the United States 
Army. 
The Manual, written principally for the use of Medical 
Officers, contains much that is useless or incomprehensible to 
the non-professional man by reason of its technicalities, and 
as Recruiting Officers are frequently required to examine appli- 
cants without the assistance of a medical officer, it is believed 
that a more useful guide can be made by eliminating this 
material, and omitting all reference to the subjects of malin- 
gering, discharges from service, etc. 
Advantage has been taken of this opportunity to add such 
new instructions, as time and experience have shown to be 
necessary, since the original publication of the Manual. 
Columbus Barracks, Ohio, 
June, 1884-. 
5 LEGEND TO FRONTISPIECE. 
1, 2, 3. Enlarged glands in the neck, bend of elbows, and groins in syphilis. 
4. Goitre. 
5. Fracture of collar bone. 
6. Apex-beat of heart. 
7. Umbilical hernia. 
8. Inguinal hernia. 
9. Scrotal hernia. 
10. Varicocele. 
11. Extreme flexion of toe. 
12. Overlapping great toe. 
13. Bunion. , 
:r SECTION I. 
“Any male person above the age of sixteen and under the 
age of thirty-five years, of good character and habits, effective, 
able-bodied, sober, free from disease, and with a competent 
knowledge of the English language, may be enlisted.”—A. R., 
par. 757. 
The only disqualifications, incident to the birthplace of the 
recruit, are crimes enumerated in treaties, and want of a com- 
petent knowledge of the English language. The former is a 
matter to be determined by the civil courts—the latter comes 
under the cognizance of the recruiting officer. 
The orders upon this subject direct that no applicant (tai- 
lors and band musicians excepted) shall be enlisted who can- 
not speak fluently, converse intelligibly, and fully understand 
the orders and instructions given in the English language; 
failing in this “competent knowledge,” the applicant should 
be rejected. 
The recruit must not he less than sixteen nor more than thirty- 
five years of age. 
This regulation does not extend to soldiers who may re- 
enlist, or who have served faithfully a previous enlistment in 
the Army. * 
“ Minors under eighteen years will not be enlisted except for 
musicians, * * * and then only under authority from 
the Superintendent.”—A. R., par. 762. 
A person under twenty-one years of age cannot enlist with- 
out the consent of his parent or guardian, if he have either. 
* Service in the volunteer force in the rebellion is not held a “previous 
enlistment” for this purpose. 
'9 10 
But if the minor should offer such written consent, the ques- 
tion then presents itself, whether so young a person possesses 
the vigor and physical development necessary for the perform- 
ance of all the duties of a soldier. 
When young men of this age are well made and have a 
true aptitude for the profession of arms, they are capable of 
making excellent soldiers. But it must not be lost sight of 
that there are few at this age fit for this profession. The body 
has not yet attained the necessary strength, and the organs 
have not arrived at that stage of vigor which will permit them 
to pass rapidly, without a careful transition, from a state of 
repose to one of violent exercise. 
The recruiting officer in deciding this question will be 
obliged to apply the same rules to a minor that he would to 
an adult, accepting him only when satisfied, so far as his in- 
spection is concerned, that no evidences of physical defects have 
presented themselves. If he has any doubt as to age, he should 
reject.—(See A. R., pars. 760 and 761.) 
The minimum height of a recruit is fixed by the Recruiting 
Regulations at five feet four inches for both the mounted and 
the general service, although recruiting officers are allowed to 
exercise their discretion as to the enlistment of desirable recruits 
(such as band musicians, school teachers, tailors, etc.) who may 
fall not more than one-fourth of an inch below the minimum 
standard of height: the maximum height for the cavalry serv- 
ice is five fe‘et ten inches. 
The weight of recruits for infantry and artillery is not less 
than 120 pounds, nor more than 190 pounds: for cavalry and 
light artillery, not to exceed 165 pounds. 
The standards of height and weight are, however, subject to 
change, instructions to that effect being issued from the Adju- 
tant General’s office “from time to time as the requirements of 
the service may dictate.”—(See A. R., par. 758.) 11 
The recruit must be effective, able-bodied, sober, free from dis- 
ease and of good character and habits. 
“ Success in obtaining recruits depends much on the activity 
and personal attention of recruiting officers. They must not 
intrust to enlisted men the duties for which they alone are 
responsible, but must use every care to prevent the imposition 
of minors and bad men upon the service.”—A. R., par. 755. 
“In passing a recruit, the examining officer is to examine 
him stripped; to see that he has the free use of his limbs; that 
his chest is ample; that his hearing, vision, and speech are per- 
fect ; that he has no tumors or ulcerated or extensively cic- 
atrized legs; no rupture or chronic cutaneous affection; that 
he has not received any contusion or wound of the head that 
may impair his faculties; that he is not a drunkard; is not 
subject to convulsions; and has no infectious or other disorder 
that may unfit him for military service.”—A. R., par. 785. 
The examination herein required must, in the absence of a 
medical officer, be made by the recruiting officer in person.— 
A. R., par. 784. 
The spirit as well as the letter of a regulation will always 
be carried out by the zealous officer. It is obvious that there 
are many causes of disqualification not enumerated in the reg- 
ulations above cited. That officer who should confine his 
examination to the defects recited in the text, would but very 
imperfectly perform his duty. The intention of the regulation 
is to exclude from the rolls all who are in any way, physically 
or mentally, incapable of performing the duties of a soldier; 
and the examining officer is required to certify that no such 
disqualification exists when he passes the man. 
Whoever is charged with the recruiting of troops should 
endeavor, above all things, to judge from the eyes, from the 
whole expression of the countenance, from the conformation of 
the limbs, of those who are capable of making the best soldiers. 12 
There are as certain and as well-understood indications forjudg- 
ing of the soldierly qualities of men as there are for ascertain- 
ing the value of a horse or a hunting dog. The young soldier 
should have lively eyes, the head erect, the chest large, the 
shoulders square, a strong hand, long arms, the belly lank, a 
free and easy carriage, the legs and feet’ less bulky than mus- 
cular. 
The ineffective man weakens the ranks he was intended to 
strengthen. He serves but to fill the hospitals, encumber the 
trains upon a march, consume supplies, and call for the serv- 
ices of the effective and able-bodied to minister to his infirm- 
ities when his own services are wanted in the field. Let the 
officer, then, bear in mind that it is the number of bayonets 
in the field, and not the number of names upon the rolls, that 
determines the strength of an army, and he will be less anxious 
to pass numbers of recruits, than that those whom he shall 
have certified to be free from defects shall not compromise his 
professional reputation by their failure in the hour of trial. 
We must, however, admit that in some instances the most 
careful and experienced observers will be deceived. The arts 
of the dissembler may cover up important defects for a time. 
He has every advantage, and he will unscrupulously avail 
himself of his knowledge. We meet with so many cases in 
which the baldest falsehoods are so pertinaciously asseverated 
in order to carry out a premeditated imposition, that, harsh as 
it may appear, we must caution the recruiting officer against 
relying at all upon the declaration of a recruit, when any other 
means of arriving at what we wish to ascertain can be com- 
manded. 
All lank, slight, puny men, with contracted figures, whose de- 
velopment is, as it were, arrested, should he set aside. 
It is evident such men cannot bear the fatigues of war. It 
is to effectiveness in war that we are always to look, for “war 13 
is the normal state of the soldier; peace is for him the tem- 
porary and exceptional condition.” Ever since the addition 
of Texas, New Mexico, and California to the Territory of the 
United States, our soldiers have been constantly engaged in 
war of some sort. The privation and exposure necessarily 
incident to the occupation of new and uncultivated countries, 
and the harassing wars constantly carried on with the savage 
tribes that infest them, demand a higher standard of physical 
strength in a soldier than w ould be required in any war we 
could be engaged in with a civilized enemy. The diminutive, 
half-d eveloped recruit is totally unfit for the service our sol- 
diers have to perform. 
“Men having the appearance of being hard drinkers will be 
rejected, though they may not at the time be intoxicated 
—A. R., par. 757. 
It is difficult oftentimes to detect the habitual drunkard. 
We must rely, to some extent, upon the man himself for infor- 
mation upon this point. Men frequently present themselves 
who exhibit evident signs of a recent debauch. It is frequently 
impossible to say whether this is the habit of their lives or 
merely a temporary lapse, induced, perhaps, by misfortune, 
disappointment, or youthful folly. To reject summarily in 
such a case would frequently lose to the service a good and 
efficient soldier. It is positively enjoined by the regulations 
that every man shall be sober when enlisted. In cases, then, 
where there is room for doubt a suspension of a final decision 
should be resorted to for a sufficient length of time to enable 
the man to recover from the effects of a mere temporary 
debauch.* 
But when the man has long indulged in habits of intem- 
perance it is almost sure to be indicated by persistent redness 
* It is a good rule, followed by some officers, to examine no man on whom 
the smell of liquor can be detected at the time. 14 
of the eyes, offensive breath, tremulousness of the hands, atten- 
uation of the muscles, particularly of the lower extremities, 
sluggishness of the intellect, and frequently an eruption of rum 
blossoms on the face and purple blotches upon the legs. Men 
presenting such signs of intemperance as these should be rejected. 
In addition to the personal observation of the recruiting 
officer as to these indications of intemperate habits, the recruit 
should always be made to say distinctly whether he is a drunk- 
ard or not; and his answer should be recorded on the spot (in 
the manner to be hereafter indicated), for the purpose of ac- 
curate reference, should a drunkard succeed in imposing him- 
self upon the service notwithstanding the careful observance 
of all the requisite precautions upon the part of the recruiting 
officer. 
To enable the inspecting officer to inform himself thoroughly 
on this point he should carefully instruct the recruiting ser- 
geant in the regular mode of performing the various motions 
required, and the recruit should be directed by the sergeant to 
imitate him in all the motions. The recruiting officer will 
then be at liberty to observe the motions of the recruit both 
in front and rear while the inspection is progressing. 
The man should have, also, the free use of all his limbs. 
The circumference of the chest is measured by passing the 
tape around it immediately at the point of the shoulder blade, 
the arms hanging down. The tape will then be found to fall 
generally below the nipple. In this way the mobility of the 
chest will be found usually to be two and one-half inches; it 
seldom exceeds three; once only have we found it four. 
The lowest limit of chest circumference, measured as indi- 
cated, should be fixed at thirty-one inches, with a mobility of 
two inches in a man of five feet six inches. A less chest mo- 
bility disqualifies the recruit. 
The chest should be ample. 15 
lie-enlistments. 
The recruiting officer is permitted to accept soldiers desiring 
to re-enlist, and who present themselves for that purpose with- 
in the prescribed limit, “notwithstanding they may have some 
physical disqualificatio n which would cause their rejection as 
recruits, provided they have no serious defect which would 
probably prevent the discharge of their duties as soldiers.” 
“ In all such cases the defects and the fact that they existed 
prior to re-enlistment will be noted on the soldier’s enlistment 
papers.” 
In modifying its requirements for enlistment in this par- 
ticular, it is the intention of the War Department to provide 
for the continuance in service of such faithful soldiers as have 
incurred disabilities during prior enlistments, which either do 
not, or probably will not, unfit them for duty in the future; 
as, for e xample, hernia, which is kept in place by wearing a 
truss; piles; varicose veins; certain defects of vision, as near 
or far sight; the loss of certain fingers and toes; mutilations 
by gunshot or other wounds, etc. 
“ Serious defects” may be defined as those which cause either 
an incapacity for duty at present or are likely to do so in the 
future; such as total blindness of the right eye; amputation 
of an entire member, hand or foot, or any constitutional disease, 
as syphilis, etc. 
Mode of Examining a Recruit. 
The room in which the examination is conducted should be 
well lighted, and large enough to admit of the men being 
walked about freely, that every organ concerned in locomotion 
may be subjected to inspection. For obvious reasons, none 
others than they whose presence is absolutely required should 
be admitted to the room. 16 
The person of the recruit should be washed dean before he 
is presented for inspection. It is impossible to ascertain the 
existence of certain defects that absolutely disqualify, when con- 
cealed, as they effectually may be, and sometimes are, by in- 
crustations of filth a month old. 
Certain defects can be ascertained only by questioning the 
man himself; and in order to avoid all subsequent evasions, 
the answers to these questions should be recorded on the spot. 
A method of effecting this object, as well as of making it sure 
that no important part shall escape inspection through any 
slip of the memory, is found in a printed form, furnished by 
the Adjutant General of the Army, upon which the observa- 
tions of the inspecting officer are to be recorded as they are made. 
These questions, and any others necessary to develop his fit- 
ness for the duties of a soldier, should be asked, and the man’s 
answers recorded before he is stripped. 
He is then to be divested of all his clothing, and the exam- 
ination proceeded with systematically, in the order of regions, 
as indicated in the “Form.” 
It should be understood that the questions in this Form are 
intended simply as a guide for a careful and searching inquiry 
into the physical history of the applicant for enlistment; if 
his replies indicate the existence of any infirmity or defect, the 
examination should be closely followed up, in order that the 
most complete information may be elicited. 
He who will be satisfied with a simple negative or affirm- 
ative reply to the queries propounded in the Form but illy 
discharges the duty he is called upon to perform. 
The answer to the second question should include a state- 
ment of the occurrence of the diseases of childhood, such as 
measles, scarlet fever, etc. 
The officer should state whether the applicant, if a foreigner, 
has a “competent knowledge of the English language,” as 17 
defined on page 9; and express his opinion upon the intelligence 
of the applicant as compared with the average soldier, and of 
his figure and general appearance. 
The officer is to note every peculiarity or deviation from the 
normal standard in each particular region. For example: if 
the man has received at any time a blow upon the head with 
a resulting scar or slight depression, let it be noted thus: “Scar 
and slight depression upon the right side of the head.” 
Scars upon any part of the person should be noted, and the 
cause assigned by the man recorded. It is not uncommon to 
find marks of free cupping upon the chests of Germans, with- 
out there being any indication of disease. These, however, 
should be noted. 
If, upon inspection, the man be found to have a varicocele, 
though not sufficient to disqualify, let it be noted under the 
proper head; and so of hemorrhoids or any other affection. 
The vaccine scar and its position should be noted. 
By this means an accurate description of the whole person 
is obtained sufficient to settle questions of identity, should 
such be subsequently raised; and if there be any defects about 
which a difference of opinion may exist, the fact that such 
defects were not overlooked by the first inspecting officer will 
be apparent. 
It will frequently happen that an “absolute disqualification” 
will be discovered before completing the examination. Such a 
defect may be detected at any stage of the inspection. In such 
cases, it will of course be unnecessary to proceed any further. 
Before recruits leave the rendezvous for the depot they 
should be carefully re-examined, and a statement made on the 
Form, setting forth the fact, and the existence of any defect which 
may have been discovered or contracted since the enlistment. 
The Form when filled up should be sent with the recruit 
to the depot. 18 
FORM FOR THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF A RECRUIT. 
Name: ; Age : ; Occupation : ; 
Birthplace: ; Residence: ; Height:* ; Weight:t ; 
Chest measurement: Expiration : ; Inspiration : ; 
Nationality of father: ; Of mother: 
Have you applied for enlistment at any other rendezvous, and if so> 
where ? 
What sickness have you had, and at what age? 
, »,_ 
Are both parents living ? 
If either has died, state cause : 
If brother or sister has died, state cause : 
Have you given up any occupation on account of your health or 
habits? 
Are you subject to dizziness? ; to severe'headache ? ; 
to pain in the breast ? ; to fluttering of the heart ? ; to 
shortness of breath ? ; to colds in the head ? ; to coughs ? 
; to diarrhoea? ; to piles? ; to rheumatism? . 
Do you believe you are sound and well now ? 
Have you.had sore eyes? 
Have you had running from either ear ? 
Have you had fits ? If so, how frequently? 
Do you have any difficulty in making or holding your water? 
Have you had stricture ? 
Have you had gonorrhoea, and when ? 
Have you had a sore of any kind upon your penis, and when? 
Have you had any swelling about or of your testicles ? 
Have you had a boil near the anus (fistula)? 
Have you been ruptured ? 
Do you drink intoxicating liquors? If so, to what extent ? 
Have you had the “horrors,'’ and when ? *_ 
Have you been hurt upon the head ? Answer fully : 
Have you had a sprain ? ; a stiff joint ? ; a bone or joint 
out of place ? ) a bone broken ? Are you subject to 
sore feet ? . 
Mention carefully any other injuries or any surgical operations you may 
have had in any part of your body, especially burns, cuts, severe 
bruises, etc.: 
Ash these questions before stripping ; answers indicating infirmities to be followed up in detail. 
* In bare feet. 
fNote weight, stripped, unless rejected for some absolute disqualification in prelimi- 
nary examination. 19 
Describe in detail any devia- 
tion from, the normal in the 
regions enumerated. 
When stripped examine carefully the Head; Ears; Eyes (in- 
cluding color blindness and astigmatism*); Nose; Mouth (especially 
teeth, hard palate, and tonsils)j Neck (especially enlarged glands); 
Chest: ’'shape (flat or pigeon-breasted*), bresonance,* c character of 
respiration;* Heart: ’'sounds,* bimpulse* (position and force), 
caction* (as to regularity); Spine; Abdomen (especially for hernia 
and enlarged glands in the groin); Genito-urinary apparatus; 
Anus (especially for fistula); Upper extremities (especially for 
enlarged glands at the elbows); Lower extremities; Skin. 
Knowledge of the English language : 
Previous service (U. S. or foreign): 
Comparative intelligence: 
Figure and general appearance : i 
Marks (Note 1): 
• 
I certify that I have asked the foregoing questions, and have recorded 
the answers as given to me, and that I have personally examined the above- 
named recruit. 
Place : 
Date : 
Inspecting Officer. 
Note 1. Record enough natural or artificial marks for identification, but do not encum- 
ber the Form with trivial markings. 
Note 2. This paper, with defects discovered at depot noted and signed by the medical 
officer, to accompany the proceedings of Boards of Inspection, in the case of rejected recruits. 
* Especially for a medical examiner. [Indorsement on the back of the Form.] 
Examination of 
Recruit 
enlisted at 
BY 
Recruiting Officer. 
This Recruit has been re-examined before leav- 
ing the rendezvous for the depot and found to be— 
Recruiting Officer. 
Remarks of the Medical Officer 
\ AT THE DEPOT. 
Surgeon, V. S. A. 21 
Order of Examination. 
Let the recruit take the position of a soldier in the best- 
lighted part of the room; then examine him in the following 
order after the methods elsewhere set forth: 
1. Inspect general physique, skin, scalp and cranium, ears, 
eyes, nose, mouth, face, neck, and chest. 
2. The arms should be extended above the head, the backs 
of the hands being together, and the applicant required to 
cough vigorously;—any form of rupture may now be discov- 
ered by the hand and eye. 
3. The man should be required to take a long step forward 
with the right foot, and then bend the knee, the hands remain- 
ing extended above the head ; this exposes the genital organs, 
and varicocele or other defects in the scrotum may be recog- 
nized by the hand. 
4. Arms down, and the man required to separate the but- 
tocks with his hands, at the same time bending forward; this 
exposes the anus. 
5. Examine the heart.* 
6. The elbows should be brought firmly to the sides of the 
body, and the fore arms extended to the front, palms of the 
hands uppermost; extend and flex each finger separately; 
bring the points of the thumbs to the base of the little fingers; 
close the hands, with the thumb covering the fingers; extend 
and flex the hands on the wrists; rotate the hands so that the 
finger nails will first be up and then down; move the' hand 
from side to side; flex the fore arms on the arms sharply, 
striking the shoulders with the fists ; place the thumbs on the 
points of the shoulders, raise and lower the arms, bringing 
them sharply to the side at each motion let the arms hang 
* Especially for Medical Examiner. 
f It may be here observed that in a few instances the recruit cannot touch his shoul- 
ders with his fingers, and still the most rigid examination could detect no imperfection in 
any of the joints of that extremity. When this difficulty is perceived, a more cautious 
inspection of all the joints of the limb must be instituted, as the probabilities are that some 
defect exists. The elbow or wrist will generally be found to be the failing joint. loosely by the side; swing the right arm in a circle rapidly 
from the shoulder, first to the front and then to the rear; 
swing the left arm in the same manner; extend the arms fully 
to the front, keeping the palms of the hands together and 
thumbs up, and observe the elbows carefully; carry the arms 
quickly back as far as possible, keeping the thumbs up, and 
at the same time raise the body on the toes. 
7. Extend the right leg, resting the heel on the floor; move 
all the toes; raise the heel from the floor, move the foot up 
and down, then from side to side ; present the sole of the foot 
for inspection ; bend the knee and strike the shoulder with it, 
bending forward at the same time; throw the leg out to the 
side as high as possible, keeping the body squarely to the front; 
take the military position “to kneel firing”; get down on both 
knees and jump up smartly; squat sharply several times in 
succession; hop, the length of the room, on the toes, of, first 
one foot, and then the other; take a standing jump as far as 
possible; jump up and strike the buttocks with the heels. 
8. Examine the lungs.* 
* Especially for Medical Examiner. SECTION II. 
The Skin. 
A careful examination of the skin should be made, first, to 
detect the presence of vermin, and second, any skin disease. 
The favorite haunt for vermin is in the hair upon the head 
and about the genital organs; they are also to be found on 
other parts of the body; the “nits,” or eggs, may be seen as 
little black bodies attached to the hair, generally near the skin. 
Itch may be suspected if the body presents evidences of hav- 
ing been constantly scratched, and the spaces between the fin- 
gers are the seat of an eruption. 
These, together with any skin eruptions which are manifestly 
chronic or disgusting in appearance, are causes for rejection. 
A crop of pimples on the face, breast and back, between the 
shoulders, is very common in young men, and being entirely 
innocent, should not disqualify a recruit otherwise desirable. 
Chronic Ulcers. 
Ulcerated or extensively cicatrized legs are enumerated 
among the causes of absolute rejection in the Medical Regula- 
tions, and “ulcerated legs” in the Recruiting Regulations. 
The intention of these provisions is to exclude men who, from 
intemperance, syphilis, &c., have been the subjects of chronic 
ulcerations of the lower extremities. In these men the slightest 
irritation is sufficient to reproduce the ulcers, and they are, of 
course, utterly unfit for soldiers. To these we now add scars 
large, irregularly shaped, with discoloration of the integument, 
or with adhesion to the hones. Scars non-adherent, white 
and smooth, resulting from an incised or lacerated wound, or 
a burn, not involving lesion of the subjacent organs, are not 24 
causes for rejection. We may say, generally, that the ulcera- 
tions demanding rejection are those combined with great loss 
of substance, with withering of the limb, or any other signs of 
a constitutional taint. 
Tattooing, 
When representing indecent or obscene figures, is a disqual- 
ification, upon the ground that a man whose moral nature is 
so degraded as to submit to such indelible marking, is not fit 
to be a soldier. 
Scrofula. 
Subjects of this form of disease cannot resist the influence 
of cold, humidity, defective nourishment, impure air, etc., in 
a sufficient degree to enable them to endure the usual vicis- 
situdes of a soldier’s life. 
When we find narrow chests, flabby muscles, a dull, lifeless 
complexion, languid circulation, with chronic tumefaction or 
ulceration of the glands, sometimes like a string of beads 
around the neck under the jaws, or in the course of the large 
vessels, the man should be set aside as unfit for the service. 
Constitutional Syphilis. 
In the detection of this disease no single sign will be suf- 
ficient, but the presence of two or more should determine the 
matter, especially if the man admits having had a sore on any 
part of his penis, or a chancre on any other part of his body, 
no matter how small, nor at however distant a period of time. 
One of the earliest and most important signs is an enlargement 
of the glands (1) at the back of the neck, (2) on the inside of 
the arm just above the elbow, and (3) in the groins. The first 
may be found by grasping firmly, between the thumb and 
forefinger, the back of the neck just below the hair, and slid- 
ing the hand down from thence to the base of the neck; if the 
glands are enlarged they will be felt under the fingers as hard 
bodies, slippery and movable, and shaped like an ordinary 25 
almond. (2) Bend the fore arm at right angles with the arm 
and grasp it from behind, between the thumb and fore finger, 
just above the elbow, keeping the thumb on the outside; the 
right hand being used for the examination of the left arm, and 
vice versa—by pressing deeply with the fingers, and, so to 
speak, rolling the flesh of the arm under them, the gland, if 
enlarged, will be plainly felt, as in the neck. (3) Rub the 
fingers, making at the same time considerable pressure, over 
and in the crease between the abdomen and the thigh (groin); 
the glands, if enlarged, will be felt as in the preceding cases. 
Eruptions on the skin exist in any part of the body, are of 
a yellowish-brown or copper color, generally circular, looking 
like stains, and are without any pain, itching, or surrounding 
redness; they should be looked for particularly on the fore- 
head and chest; scaly eruptions upon the palms of the hands 
are also indicative of the disease. 
The hair thins out, or may fall off in patches—(alopecia). 
The nose and mouth, especially the latter, are the seat of 
peculiar ulcerations: in the nose, they appear about the inside 
of the nostrils; in the mouth, they will be seen on the back 
part of the roof, on the side of the cheek, or farther back in 
the throat on the tonsils and the sides of the palate; the tongue 
also is often ulcerated and deeply cracked. The bones form- 
ing the bridge of the nose are often flattened or sunken as 
a result of ulcerations of the softer parts underneath. 
The shin bones are the seat of lumps (nodes), easily felt by 
running the fingers along the edge of the bone; these lumps 
are generally on both shins, and are apt to be painful at night. 
Warts, and excrescences about the anus between the buttocks, 
or on the scrotum (mucous tubercles and vegetations), will be 
seen at once by separating the buttocks while the man bends 
forward: “they appear as flat, slightly elevated papules, about 
half an inch in diameter, and covered with a slimy, fetid exu- 
dation ; ” they are often ulcerated, and may run together. 26 
The scars left by buboes which have been opened “are no 
indication of constitutional syphilis.” 
It should be borne in mind that symmetry in the appearance 
of the external signs of syphilis is peculiar to the disease; 
thus, one tonsil being sore, the other will probably be sore also 
—a blotch on the skin of one side of the body may likely have 
its fellow on the other side. 
The Head. 
The scalp should be examined very carefully, by running 
the fingers through the hair, for depressions in the skull; if 
any are found that are deep and abrupt in character, especially 
if covered by a scar, the applicant should be rejected; so also 
if any disease of the scalp is discovered. 
Monstrosity in size of head, and considerable deformities, 
the consequences of fracture, should also reject. 
The Ears. 
Tumors or growths in the passage to the internal ear may 
be at once discovered and are causes for rejection. 
The discharge of “ matter ” from the ear is generally an evi- 
dence of a diseased condition of the parts within, which is very 
likely to lead to permanent deafness, and is therefore a cause 
for rejection. 
Deafness of either ear constitutes an absolute cause of rejection. 
The applicant should be placed about twelve feet from, and 
with his back toward, the recruiting officer, and be required 
to repeat certain words, addressed to him in a low tone of 
voice; his failure to respond will speedily show this defect. 
Deafness of one ear is very likely to be caused by an accu- 
mulation of hardened wax, upon the removal of which hearing 
is restored. 
An otherwise desirable recruit may be required to have his 
ears thoroughly cleansed, final action being deferred until the 
result of this operation is known. 27 
The Face. 
Great deformities of the face—large, livid, hairy, unsightly 
spots, loss of substance of the cheeks, are so many reasons for 
rejection; as they are calculated to excite aw;rsion and disgust 
in others, they may profe prejudicial to the service by pro- 
voking discontent in the quarters, and by exposing the suf- 
ferer to cruel and irritating sarcasms and jests that too often 
end in fatal quarrels. 
The Eyes. 
The following are causes for absolute rejection : 
Loss of either eye. 
Chronic inflammation of the lids, which may be known by 
their being red and swollen, with collections of more or less 
dried matter on the edges between and around the lashes; the 
ball of the eye will also be “ bloodshot.” 
Inability to count with facility, at twenty feet distance, 
the black spots on the test cards. This examination requires 
the greatest care and patience on the part of the recruiting 
officer; it is made with test cards, “ten in number, with black 
spots arranged like those on playing cards, and ranging from 
1 to 10 on each card. The spots are circular, and each four- 
tenths of an inch in diameter.” “ The recruit must be able to 
count them with facility at twenty feet distance. Each dot pre- 
sents the same appearance, when seen by the normal eye at 
this distance, as a black centre three feet in diameter 'on a 
white ground at six hundred yards’ distance. 
“To use these cards, measure off a line twenty feet long on 
the floor of a well-lighted room. Stand the recruit with his 
toes at one extremity of the line. Let an assistant, holding 
the pack of cards in his hands, stand with his toes at the other 
extremity of the line and expose successively the faces of two 
or three of the cards. The recruit must be able to state 28 
promptly the number of dots on each. This examination 
must' be made with each eye separately. The examination 
may be varied by showdng to the recruit one of the higher 
numbers, such as the nine or ten card, and covering up a part of 
its face with another card so as to expose one or more spots at 
a time.”—(Directions from S. G. O.) 
The “assistant ” in this case should be the recruiting officer, 
and the sergeant should stand behind the recruit, covering one 
eye completely icith a card; it is a custom to cover the eye 
with the hand; this is very objectionable, because, uncon- 
sciously, more or less pressure is made on the organ, and such 
a sense of discomfort, as well as disorder in the circulation, 
produced that clearness of vision when the eye is uncovered 
is much interfered with; or, a designing man may take ad- 
vantage of an opening between the fingers of the hand placed 
over his eye, to see and read the cards, while the other eye 
may be totally defective. 
The applicant should stand with his face to the light, 
because in this position the iris is contracted and the pupil 
becomes so small that any defect of the cornea (or glass of 
the eye), which may be situated directly in front of the pupil, 
will so interfere with vision as to be discovered; if the light 
falls from behind the applicant, or he is in shadow, the iris is 
relaxed and the pupil dilates sufficiently to allow' the rays of 
light to enter the eyes by the side of a defect, and vision seems 
to be perfect, while in reality it may be very imperfect. * 
There is often considerable hesitation on the part of the ap- 
plicant in counting the spots, which may be due to ignorance, 
and some of the low numbers should be presented to him; it 
is better to begin the examination with the right eye, and the 
spots on at least six cards should be counted without hesita- 
tion before it can be considered satisfactory; failing in this, 
the applicant should be rejected. 29 
Prominence of the eyeballs to such an extent as to prevent 
the lids from closing—(exophthalmos). 
Drooping of the upper lids over the eyeballs, with inability to 
raise them—(ptosis). 
Adhesion of the lids to the eyeballs. 
Scalding of the cheeks from tears, indicating closure of the 
tear-duct. 
Cross-eye, or squint of the right eye, if permanent or well 
marked (strabismus), are all subjects for disqualification. 
The following defects, if discovered, should be noted on the 
enlistment papers of the recruit by the recruiting officer, and 
the question of rejection left to the decision of the surgeon at 
the depot. 
A film across the white of the eye, pyramidal in shape, the 
base resting on or near the “sight”—(pterygium). 
Milky opacities on the cornea—(leucoma). 
Wavering and divergence, generally outward, of one or 
both eyes when the applicant is required to look steadily at an 
object, say the hand or fingers, held at a distance of six or 
eight inches from the face—(asthenopia). 
A rotary or oscillating movement of one or both eyes when 
looking at an object at the ordinary visual distance (nystag- 
mus); both eyes are generally affected, and the nervous 
character of the disease is shown by the increased motion 
during the examination. 
Double vision, or that condition of sight in which two images 
instead of one are seen when the applicant is required to look 
steadily at an object—(diplopia). 
The Nose. 
Loss of the nose disqualifies the recruit not only as an indi- 
• cation of a constitutional disease, but also on account of the 
modification of the voice consequent on the lesion, frequently 
to a degree that renders the man unintelligible. 30 
“ When the loss of the nose is due to accident, the same 
difficulty as to the voice presents itself.” 
Ill-smelling discharge from the nose either through the nos- 
tril or the mouth, or very offensive breath, which is indicative 
of a chronic disease called “ ozoena,” “ demands the rejection 
of the subject.” A chronic swelling of the cartilage of the 
nose which stops up either nostril, or permanent closure of the 
nostril from any cause, and tumors inside the nose (polypi) are 
causes for rejection. The examining officer must, however, be 
careful not to mistake slight irregularities in the septum of the 
nose, which are not uncommon, for a polypus. 
The Mouth. 
The following defects of these parts are disqualifications: 
Ilare lip, simple, compound, or complicated. 
Loss of the ivhole or part of either lip. 
Unsightly mutilation of the lips from wounds, burns, or dis- 
ease. 
Loss of the whole or part of either jaw-bone. 
Deformities of either jaw-bone interfering with mastication 
or speech. 
Ivability to open the jaws widely. 
Loss of teeth.—If the front teeth have been lost by accident 
we should not reject the man, provided the double teeth or a 
sufficient number of them remain sound in both jaws. But 
if the front teeth have been lost from decay, and the double 
teeth are unsound to any extent, the man should be rejected. 
If the front teeth remain and the double teeth are gone, 
rejection is again demanded, because the man is evidently 
incapable of properly masticating the food he must subsist 
upon in the field. 
It is not uncommon to find a loss of the natural teeth sup- 
plied by artificial ones fastened to a rubber plate. The fact 31 
that such a plate is worn should be noted on the enlistment 
papers, but the artificial substitutes cannot be considered as 
taking the place of the natural teeth, or removing the disabil- 
ity on this account for military service. 
Enlargement or shrinkage of the tongue. 
Mutilation or the partial or total loss of the tongue. 
Growth of the tongue to the sides of the mouth. 
Stammering or stuttering, if at all considerable. 
A growth of the cheeks to the sides of the jaws, impeding 
their free motion. 
Fissures of the hard palate. 
Perforation of the hard palate, an occasional sequel of syph- 
ilis, is objectionable on account of the modification produced by 
it in the voice and the fact that through the perforation fluids 
are allowed to pass into the nose from the mouth. 
Chronic enlargement of the tonsils sufficient to impede swallow- 
ing or speech.—To obtain a good view of the tonsils and back 
parts of the mouth and throat, the recruit should open his 
mouth as widely as possible and pronounce the word: “Ah 1 
h-h,” in a prolonged breath—the arches of the palate and the 
soft palate will by this manoeuvre be raised, and an unob- 
structed view of the parts obtained. 
Loss of voice, or a manifest alteration of it. 
The Neck. 
Goitre—a tumor situated at the base of and across the neck, 
just below “Adam’s apple,” if large enough to interfere with 
breathing, or the hooking of the collar of the coat, or if 
recent or growing. 
The violet colored, adherent scars of scrofulous ulcerations, 
in this region, are causes for rejection. 
Openings in the wind-pipe, or “Adam’s apple,” should also 
reject. 32 
The Chest. 
The applicant should be carefully questioned as to his own 
history and that of his family: if he admits having had severe 
and long-continued cough, and night sweats, and states that he 
has lost any members of his family from consumption, there is 
good ground for suspecting him to have at least a tendency to 
the disease, more especially if he is of spare habit, with a flat 
chest, or is “chicken breasted;” in these latter cases the chest 
is “seldom strong enough or roomy enough to permit the 
lungs to have free play in them.” 
When the chest is narrow and elongated, the countenance 
pale, or with merely a brilliant point upon the cheeks, the 
voice husky, or articulation short, quick, interrupted almost 
every moment for want of breath, the skin presenting a fine- 
ness of texture, a whiteness or straw-colored tint, with abnor- 
mal dryness—when the limbs, more or less long, are thin, 
furnished with soft and emaciated muscles—these characters 
suffice to announce a weakly constitution and a manifest dis- 
position to consumption. 
It is sufficient to require rejection that the chest should be 
ill-formed, that its structure should appear to be too weak, 
and that the other parts of the organism should be stamped 
with signs “of debility and suffering.” 
It is true we run the risk of rejecting men who may after- 
wards become very robust, and who, by a long and successful 
life, may contradict the opinion we may have pronounced in 
their cases. But * * .* one will be astonished at the 
number of men who, received because no determinate lesion 
of the chest was recognized when they were inspected, suc- 
cumb afterward with consumption, or whom it was necessary 
to send back to their families with broken health after their 
strength had been exhausted. This is the plague of the army. 
I have already said that a feeble man left at home may become 
strong; but send him into the ranks and he perishes almost 33 
certainly. Betwixt these two rocks neither the physician, the 
officer, nor the magistrate can hesitate an instant. 
Bleeding from the lungs ; 
Badly united fractures of the ribs, leaving a sharp angle at 
the point of injury ; 
“ Wheezing” breathing (asthma), are all causes for rejection. 
The Heart. 
The only lesion of this organ discoverable by a non-pro- 
fessional man is enlargement (hypertrophy), which may be 
suspected by a marked deviation of the “apex beat” of the 
heart from its proper place, about two inches below the left 
nipple and about one inch to its right, between the fifth and 
sixth ribs. (See plate.) 
It is not always easy to see the impulse of the heart against 
the chest walls, aud the recruiting officer must therefore feel 
for it: by placing the ends of two fingers in the interspace of 
the ribs just below the nipple, and pressing backward with 
some force, it can be felt even in very fat men, or in those 
whose lung tissue may accidentally cover it thickly. 
The deviation in enlargement is generally downward and 
to the left, and when to the extent of about two inches from 
the normal point, if accompanied by powerful action, disease 
may be suspected and the applicant rejected. 
There are two conditions likely to mislead, viz: extreme 
“nervousness” from fright or embarrassment, and an irregu- 
lar action caused by the excessive use of tobacco or coffee, or 
both; the hurried, sharply accentuated action of the heart in 
the former, and its irregular action in the latter case, can 
hardly, with the exercise of due care, be mistaken for the 
powerful rythmical action in enlargement, in which condition 
the blood-vessels of the head and neck will often be found 
distended and beating with considerable violence. 34 
The Abdomen. 
There are three easily recognized forms of rupture (hernia), 
viz: inguinal, scrotal, and umbilical, any of which is a cause 
for rejection. Any or all of them may be discovered by 
requiring the applicant to extend his arms above his head and 
cough; if there is a rupture at any of these points the bowel 
will protrude through the opening and present to the view of 
the observer a “bunch” or tumor; if the hand is now placed 
on this tumor and the applicant again required to cough, a 
distinct shock or impulse will be felt in the tumor, which will 
appear to swell and become tense. Steady pressure will in 
most cases cause the bowel to recede into the abdomen with a 
peculiar slip or gurgle, which is characteristic. 
The seat of an inguinal hernia is in or above the crease 
between the abdomen and the thigh; of a scrotal hernia, in 
the scrotum above the testicle; of an umbilical hernia, at the 
“navel,”—this latter must not be confounded with a simple 
“pouting navel,” from which it may be distinguished by its 
doughy, inelastic consistence and by the absence of an impulse 
on coughing. 
Fistula in Ano and Hemorrhoids (piles) may be discovered 
by requiring the applicant to turn his back to the light, stoop 
well forward, and with both hands separate the buttocks 
widely; this exposes the anus. A fistula may be suspected if 
at the verge of the anus, or at any point within a radius of an 
inch thereof, a pimple is seen, in the centre of which is “proud 
flesh”—and suspicion becomes almost certainty if the man 
admits having had at any time a “boil” in that locality. 
Under these circumstances he should be rejected. 
Hemorrhoids (piles) are of two kinds, internal or bleeding, 
and external. The recruiting officer cannot discover the 
former, but may suspect their existence if there is a discharge 35 
of matter or blood from the anus. If the applicant admits 
that he is the subject of this form of the disease he should be 
rejected. 
External piles appear as tumors, or loose flabby folds of 
skin about the verge of the anus, and may be recent or old. 
If recent, they will appear about the size of a buck-shot, of a 
bluish color, hard and tense to the feel, and their covering 
will look thin; if old, they will probably be as large as a 
marble, of a brawny feel, reddish-brown color, and have a 
thick covering. If recent, as above described, they are not 
cause for rejection, neither are they if old and single and the 
applicant asserts that they have never been painful or trouble- 
some ; but if there should be more than one old pile and they 
are larger than described, or if a single old pile is ulcerated or 
inflamed, or if there is a small pile associated with varicose 
veins of the legs, the applicant should be rejected. The flabby 
folds of skin are not cause for rejection unless very large. 
If the applicant is accepted, any blemish, no matter how 
slight, about this region, should be noted on his enlistment 
papers. 
Any acute disease of these organs should be a cause for 
rejection. 
A sore upon the head of the penis, the furrow immediately 
behind it, or on the foreskin, is in the vast majority of instances 
syphilitic, and while it is well known that there are two kinds 
of venereal sores, one innocent, so far as its effects upon the 
general system are concerned, and the other virulent, it is 
equally well known that it is not always possible to distinguish 
the one from the other; hence one may find that a so-called 
“innocent” sore is followed in due time by constitutional 
symptoms, or a supposed virulent sore is free from such 
results. This being the fact, the Government is entitled to 
The Genital and Urinary Organs. 36 
the benefit of the doubt, and these cases should be rejected. 
The same remarks apply to gonorrhoea. No physician can 
say positively that an attack of this disease will not be fol- 
lowed by a stricture of the urethra; it is the experience of the 
writer that stricture is far more frequently a sequence of gon- 
orrhoea than even professional men generally admit, for which 
reason all cases of this disease should be rejected. Other acute 
diseases, such as swelled testicle, simple inflammation of the 
foreskin and head of penis (balanitis), etc., may or may not be 
of venereal origin, but it is safer to reject the man than to 
accept him and afterwards have him rejected at the second 
examination, or discharged the service at a subsequent date. 
Loss of the 'penis is a cause of rejection. 
Phimosis, ‘bin elongation of the foreskin, with contraction 
of its orifice, preventing the foreskin from being drawn back 
so as to expose the head of the penis,” when complete, is cause 
for rejection. 
This condition, although apparently trivial, is occasionally 
the cause of serious disorder of the nervous system, as epilepsy, 
paralysis, etc.; it interferes with the free discharge of urine, 
and prevents a thorough cleansing of the parts from the natural 
secretions, the retention of which, acting as an irritant, sets 
up inflammation and unfits the soldier for the performance of 
duty. 
Warts (venereal) are not unfrequently found upon the 
penis; their location is generally in the furroiv, although they 
may be situated anywhere about the head and foreskin. As a 
rule they are innocent in character, are produced by unclean- 
liness, and are not a cause for rejection. 
Dpi- and Hypospadia.—When the urethra terminates by an 
opening in the course of the penis either on the upper (epi- 
spadia) or under (hypospadia) surface, and at a distance nearer 
the body than one-fourth the length of that organ, reject. 37 
Stricture of the urethra can be detected only from the con- 
fession of the man himself: if upon being questioned he 
admits an attack of gonorrhoea, and that he passes a stream 
of water which is crooked or twisted, or if, at the close of the 
act, the water dribbles from him, falling between his feet, 
or if the stream is small and passed with difficulty, there is 
good reason to suspect a stricture, and the applicant should 
be rejected. 
Loss of both testicles by extirpation or disease, or marked 
dwindling (atrophy) of both, or special sensitiveness of either, 
rejects. 
The absence of both testicles from their natural situation 
does not necessarily imply the loss of them from either of these 
causes, for they may never have descended into the scrotum. In 
this case the usual signs of virility will resolve the doubt. 
Moreover, if the organs have been extirpated by accident or 
design, the scar of the wound will reveal the fact. If they 
have disappeared from atrophy, some rudiment will still re- 
main to show that they have descended. 
If they are not in the scrotum, they are either still in the 
abdomen or are arrested in the groin, where they may be felt 
and possibly seen as tumors or lumps, and may be distinguished 
by the peculiarly sickening pain felt when they are vigorously 
squeezed between the fingers; if they occupy any portion of 
the groin, they incapacitate the man, from their liability to be 
followed by rupture, and particularly from their exposure to 
painful injury and to strangulation. This remark is also ap- 
plicable to those cases in which only one testicle is present in 
the scrotum. 
If three testicles are supposed to be in the scrotum, the appli- 
cant may be accepted, and the fact noted on his enlistment 
paper; the case being left to the decision of the surgeon at the 
depot whether the extra body is a testicle or not. 38 
Any great enlargement of the testicle, especially if the organ 
is very hard and insensitive, is indicative of serious disease, 
and should be cause for rejection. 
Caution is necessary in examining the testicle that the “epi- 
didymis” is not confused with some morbid growth; this body 
lies upon the upper and back part of the testicle, and may 
occasionally feel hard or swollen as a result of some former 
inflammation; indeed it may, under some circumstances, be 
taken for a varicocele; there is no disease to which it is subject, 
discoverable by a non-professional man, that would be cause 
for rejection. 
Accumulation of fluid in the scrotum (hydrocele) may be 
discovered by the distention of the parts, and by the sensation of 
fluctuation given to the fingers by the contained fluid; it is a 
cause for rejection. 
There may also be an accumulation of fluid in the spermatic 
cord (hydrocele of the cord), giving rise to a tumor situated 
above the testicle, between it and the groin, into which it often 
extends; this is cause for rejection. 
Varicocele (by which is now understood the condition for- 
merly known as “cirsocele”) is an enlargement of the veins 
leading from the testicle, which have “a peculiar knotted and 
convoluted feel, and the sensation conveyed to the hand is often 
compared to that which would be given by a bunch of earth- 
worms.” 
When slight this is not a cause for rejection. Tripler gives 
the following as a safe rule: “If the testicle upon that side is 
atrophied (shrunken) whatever may be the volume of the cir- 
socele (varicocele), or if the volume of the latter exceeds that 
of the former, the recruit should be rejected.” 
A good position in which to obtain the best view of the 
scrotum is to require the applicant to advance one leg, carry 
the other as far back as possible, and then bend the advanced 39 
leg at the knee: the presence of varicocele can, however, be 
determined only by handling the parts. 
The Back. 
Curvature of the spine, with round shoulders. To detect 
curvature of the spine, draw an imaginary line from the centre 
of the base of the skull to the end of the spine. If it passes 
one inch either side of the spinal prominences, reject. (Parker.) 
Arching of the hack, with flattening of the front part of the 
chest, are disqualifications when they exist to such a degree as 
to impede respiration or to interfere with the action of the 
heart, as also is wry neck, an affection in which the head, twisted 
to one side, cannot be brought back to its natural position. 
The recruiting officer cannot of course discover whether 
these blemishes interfere with the functions of the lungs or 
heart, but he can see if they are very much pronounced, and 
reject; or if he is in doubt, note the facts on the enlistment 
papers, and let the surgeon at the depot decide the question. 
Men frequently present themselves for inspection with 
shoulders of unequal height. This is generally the result of 
habit, and of no consequence, unless connected with true curv- 
ature of the spine. The degree of this curvature, where it exists 
will determine the eligibility of the recruit. Whenever 
shoulders of unequal height are seen, attention should of course 
be directed to the spinal column. 
Affections of the Exteemities. 
It is a matter of primary importance that the soldier should 
have the perfect use of all his limbs, and that the completeness 
and integrity of these organs should be in nowise impaired A 
careful inspection of the limbs, even to the most minute detail, 
will never be neglected by the officer who feels a proper interest 
in the good of the service or in his own reputation. It is neces- 40 
sary not only to put the man through the prescribed motions, 
but also to handle every important joint, or the officer may be 
deceived. 
Many of the lesions and deformities of the limbs that dis- 
qualify a recruit are common to both the upper and lower 
extremities; others are peculiar to the one or the other. 
The common lesions are chronic rheumatism, with swelling 
and stiffness of the joints or the neighboring tissues, causing 
any impediment to the performance of the normal motions. 
Wasting of a limb from any cause. 
Old dislocations, if attended by any impairment of motion 
or distortion of the joint. 
The shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints are the most common 
sites for these injuries. 
The applicant for enlistment will of course put the best face 
on the results of these cases, and stoutly assert that the joint is 
as good as ever; but he should in all eases be tried with a rifle, 
to see if he can perform quickly and easily the various motions 
required in the manual of arms and in the “set-up” drill. Even 
if motion is perfect, it is doubtful policy to enlist a man who 
has any amount of distortion from a dislocated joint, because 
he has enough of a visible defect, upon which, at any time, to 
hang an excuse for a discharge, if from any cause the service 
becomes irksome to him. Fortunately, badly damaged joints 
are easily discovered, and the safest plan in such cases is to reject, 
even if the distortion or loss of motion be never so slight. 
The same general remarks will apply to important fractures, 
especially if they have been in the neighborhood of joints; 
if followed by wasting of the limb or paralysis, there can be 
no doubt about the necessity for rejection. 
Severe sprains. 
Voluntary or involuntary dislocation of joints. 
Defective or excessive curvature of the limbs. 
Complete or partial stiffness of any joint. 41 
Weakness, difficult or total, and incurable loss of motion of 
a limb. 
Extensive, deep, or adherent scars, where they interfere with 
the motion of a limb. 
Loss of a limb, or an essential part thereof. 
Contractions or permanent flexions of a limb or a portion 
thereof are all causes for rejection. 
Special Lesions of the Upper Extremities. 
Fractures of the collar hone, where there is much deformity, or 
if the seat of the fracture is near the outer extremity of the bone. 
The fingers adherent or united. 
Permanent flexion or extension of one or more fingers, as well 
as irremediable loss of motion of these parts. 
Total loss of left thumb. 
Mutilation of right thumb to such an extent as to produce 
material loss of flexion or strength of the member: the com- 
mon distortion of the extremity due to contusion or felon need 
not disqualify. 
Total loss of the index finger of the right hand. 
Loss of the first and second joints of all of the fingers of the 
right hand. 
The joints of fingers and toes are counted from the end 
backward. 
Total loss of any two fingers of the same hand. 
Mutilation of the last joints of all the fingers of either hand. 
All these defects constitute absolute cases of exclusion from 
the military service. 
We frequently meet with permanent partial flexion of the 
little finger of one or both hands, due to the effect of some par- 
ticular varieties of labor. These flexions do not disqualify, 
as they in nowise interfere with the prompt and effective 
handling of arms. The permanent flexion of any other finger 
does, and should exclude from service. 42 
Redundant fingers are not always objections to a recruit. 
If the redundant finger is upon the outer border of the hand 
it is not usually in the way, and particularly if it be the left 
hand. We think, unless this appendage were more developed 
than we have ever seen it, we should not regard it in the 
inspection of a recruit. 
Special Lesions of the Inferior Extremities. 
Varicose veins, i. e., swollen or enlarged veins. 
It is a rare thing to find a young man with varicose veins 
to a degree sufficient to attract attention. Men of thirty and 
thence on to the limit of eligibility more frequently present 
them; but even in these cases they are usually a sign rather of 
intemperate habits, or feebleness of constitution, than the 
result of mechanical causes. Generally, they should direct 
attention to the investigation of the former, and if the result 
of this investigation be satisfactory any moderate prominence 
of the veins need not be regarded. 
But it must be borne in mind that the tendency of this 
affection is to become aggravated, particularly in tall men, and 
upon long marches with knapsacks and arms. 
The character, then, of the veins should be well noted. 
Sometimes the minute superficial branches only are enlarged 
and of themselves are of no consequence; but when clusters 
of knots are seen, or one or more single knots, large and with 
thin yalls, or a net-work of enlarged branches about the 
ankle, the back of the foot, the calf of the leg, the ham or 
thigh, the man should be rejected. In all cases when there is 
chronic tumefaction, dropsy of the limbs, or marks of ulcer- 
ation, rejection is demanded. 
Lameness, perceptible limping, to whatever cause it may be 
due, demands the rejection of a recruit. 43 
Knock-knees. 
This deformity sometimes, though rarely, is carried to such 
an excess as to unfit a man for military service. In these 
cases it is impossible for the man to take the position of a 
soldier and he is mechanically disabled from performing a 
long march. We would say, generally, that if a recruit can- 
not bring the inner borders of the feet, from the heel to the 
ball of the great toe, within three inches of each other with- 
out passing the inner surface of the knees respectively in front 
of and behind each other, he is unfit for service. 
Club-feet are always positive disqualifications. 
Splay-feet. 
The foot that renders a man unfit for service is that in 
which the arch is so far effaced that the entire inner border 
of the foot rests upon the ground; the inner ankle is very 
prominent, as is also the bone of the foot articulating with it, 
and the axis of the leg does not fall upon the centre of the 
foot—giving the effect that the ankle-joint has been dislocated 
and the foot crushed down and outward. 
All the toes joined together, the toes double or branching. 
The great toe crossing the other toes, with great prominence 
of the second joint of the great toe {bunion). 
Over-riding or super-position of any or all the toes to an 
extreme degree. 
Loss Ojf a great toe. 
Loss of any two toes from the same foot. 
Permanent flexion of the last joint of one of the toes so that 
the free border of the nail bears upon the ground; or flexions 
at a right angle of the last joint of a toe (usually the second 
toe) upon the second, with stiffness of the joint. 
Lngrowing nail of the great toe, usually upon the inner side, 
if deep and accompanied with signs of inflammation or ulcer- 
ation. 44 
Corns on the sole of the foot, especially if situated on the 
under side of the “ball” or base of the great toe. 
Stinking feet. 
These are all objections to a recruit and are too frequently 
neglected. 
They invariably cause lameness upon a march, and often 
disqualify a man from undergoing the drills necessary for his 
instruction. 
When a man walks upon the nail, as it is termed, during 
a march, sand and other foreign bodies find their way between 
the nail and the skin, producing severe pain and irritation; 
and even if this is escaped, the constant pressure upon the 
free border of the nail is felt throughout its whole surface of 
adhesion, and develops there, and sometimes in the root of the 
nail, insupportable pain and inflammation. In the case of 
stiff joints, the constant friction of the shoe upon a march soon 
obliges the man to give up and take to * the wagons. Men 
with such infirmities are of no use whatever as soldiers. 
Feebleness of Constitution—(Poor Physique). 
It is impossible, in our opinion, to convey the idea we wish 
to express in any other language. There is no disease—to 
all appearance there is nothing more than defective develop- 
ment of organization. 
We frequently see men whose constitutions may or may 
not have been originally feeble, but who, from unfavorable 
hygienic circumstances, have aggravated or acquired this feeble- 
ness, debility, or general unfitness. There is partial or general 
emaciation, mental sluggishness, a listless air, a torpor of all 
the faculties, absence of activity, indifference to all their sur- 
roundings. Too lazy or too feeble to work, they seek the 
service as an asylum only, without the least notion of ever 
performing their duties. Such men are cases for absolute 
rejection. INDEX. 
A. 
Page 
Abdomen, the 34 
Adam’s apple, openings into 31 
Age, limits of 10 
, for musicians 9 
, previous service as affecting 9 
Alopecia, see Baldness. 
Anus, examination of 21,25, 34 
in syphilis 25 
Apex-beat of heart 33 
Asthenopia 29 
Asthma 33 
Atrophy, see Wasting. 
B. 
Back, the 39 
Balanitis 36 
Baldness as a sign of syphilis 25 
Band musicians need not speak English 9 
Birthplace immaterial 9 
Breath, offensive 30 
Breathing, wheezing, see Asthma. 
Bronchocele, see Goitre. 
Bubo, significance of 26 
Bunions 43 
c. 
Card test, use of 27 
Chancres - 35 
Chancroids 35 
Characteristics, physical, of recruit 11,12 
Cheeks - 31 
Chest, defects in - 32 
, methods of examining 14 
, mobility of 14 
, size of 14 46 
Page. 
Chicken breasted 32 
Cirsocele, see Varicocele. 
Cleanliness, reasons for 16 
Clubfeet „ 43 
Collar bone, fracture of 41 
Condylomata, see Warts. 
Consumption, indications of 32 
Cord, spermatic, fluid in 38 
Cornea, opacity of , 29 
Corns 44 
Cross eye 29 
Cupping, signs of, not always important 17 
D. 
Deafness 26 
Debility 44 
Defects of all degrees to be noted 17 
Diplopia 29 
Discharge from ears 26 
nose 30 
Dislocations 40 
Disqualification, absolute, rejects at any stage of examination 17 
Drunkards, indications of 13 
, reject 14 
E. 
Ears, the 26 
, discharge from 26 
English, fluency in, required 9 
Epididymis, the 38 
Epispadia 36 
Examination, order of ' 21 
room 15 
Exophthalmos 29 
Extremities, the 39 
Eye, film upon 29 
Eye-ball, prominence of 29 
Eye-lids, adherent 29 
, drooping 29 
, inflamed 27 
Eye, loss of either 27 
Eyes, the 27 
Club feet F. 
Page 
Face, deformities of 27 
Feebleness, general 44 
Feet, defects in 43,44 
, offensive 44 
Field musicians, see Musicians. 
Fingers, abnormal 41,42 
, flexion of 41 
, injuries to 41 
, little, flexion of 41 
, redundant 42 
Fistula in ano 34 
Foot, see Feet. 
Form for examination 18,19, 20 
, disposition of 17 
, use of 17 
Fractures 40 
V G- 
Genito-urinary organs 35, 36, 37, 38 
Glands, enlarged, in syphilis 24, 25 
Gleet, rejects 37 
Goitre 31 
Gonorrhoea 36 
H. 
Hemorrhoids, see Piles. 
Hare-lip 30 
Head, examination of 26 
Hearing, defects in, see Deafness. 
, examination of 26 
Heart , 33 
, apex beat of 33 
, hypertrophy of 33 
Height, limits of 10 
, special exceptions in 10 
Hernia 34 
, inguinal 34 
, scrotal 34 
, umbilical 34 
Hydrocele 38 
of the cord 38 
Hypospadia 36 48 
I. 
Page. 
Intemperance, habitual, signs of 13 
Intoxication a bar 14 
Itch, indications of 23 
J. 
Jaw, deformities of 30 
, loss of 30 
Jaws, stiffness of 30 
Joint, stiffness of any 40 
K. 
Knock-knees 43 
L. 
Lameness 42 
Legs, cicatrices on i 23 
Leucoma 29 
Limbs, all to be mobile 14 
, shape of, changed 40 
, wasting of 40 
Lip, mutilation of 30 
Liquor, odor of, on recruit 13 
Lungs, bleeding from 33 
M. 
Minor, consent required for 9 
, physical development of 10 
Mouth 30 
, in syphilis 25 
N. 
Nail, walking upon the 43, 44 
Nails, ingrowing 43 
Neck, the 31 
, scars of 31 
, wry 39 
Nose, discharge from 30 
—*—, loss of 29 
, in syphilis 25 
Nostril, closure of 30 
Nystagmus 29 o. 
Page. 
Opacity of cornea 29 
Otorrhoea, see Discharge from ears. 
Ozoena 30 
P. 
Palate, hard, fissure of 31 
, perforation of 31 
Peculiarities to be noted 17 
Penis, affections of 35, 36 
, loss of * 36 
Phimosis 36 
Piles 34,35 
and varicose veins 35 
Pimples 23 
Polypus, nasal 30 
Pterygium 29 
Ptosis 29 
Puniness rejects 12,13 
Q. 
Qualifications of recruits 9,10 
Questioning before stripping 16,17 
R. 
Recruit, qualifications of 9,10 
, general characteristics of 11 
Re-enlistments, age in 9 
physical requirements for 15 
Re-examination at rendezvous 17 
Rheumatism, chronic 40 
Ribs, badly united fractures of 33 
Room, examining 15 
Running from ears 26 
Rupture 34 
s. 
Scalp, examination of 26 
Scars, characteristic of 23, 24 
to be noted 17 
School teachers may be under size 10 50 
Page. 
Scrofula 24 
Scrotum, fluid in 38 
Serious defects in re-enlistment 15 
Service, previous, age as affected by 9 
Shoulders, unsymmetrical 39 
Skin, affections of 23 
Skull, depressions in - 26 
Spine, curvature of 39 
Splay-feet 43 
Sprains 40 
Squint 29 
Stammering 31 
Strabismus 29 
Stricture of urethra 37 
Syphilis, constitutional 24,25,26 
T. 
Tailors may be under size 10 
need not speak English well 9 
Tattooing, indecent 24 
Teachers, see School teachers. 
Teeth, requirements as to 30 
, artificial 30, 31 
Testicles, affections of 37, 38 
, atrophy of 37 
, enlargement of 38 
, loss of 37 
, supernumerary 37 
, undescended 37 
Thorax, see Chest. 
Thumb, loss of left — 41 
, mutilation of right 41 
Toes, defects in 43, 44 
Tongue, alterations in 31 
Tonsils, enlarged 31 
Tubercles, mucous (syphilitic) 25 
u. 
Ulcers, chronic 23 
Unfitness, general 44 
Urethra, abnormal opening of 36 
, stricture of 37 51 
V. 
Page. 
Varicocele 38 
Varicose veins 42 
and piles 35 
Vegetations, syphilitic 25 
Vermin, personal 23 
Vision 27,28 
, double 29 
Voice, alteration 29, 30, 31 
, loss of 31 
w. 
Warts, syphilitic 25 
, venereal, but not syphilitic 36 
Washing of recruit necessary 16 
Wasting of limbs 40 
Weight, limits of 10 
Wheezing 33 
Wind-pipe, openings into 31 
Wry-neck 39 HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, 
Adjutant General’s Office, 
Washington, June 7, 1887. 
[Circular.] 
The attention of recruiting officers is called to the following, in con- 
nection with paragraphs 1, 2, and 3, page 10, Epitome of Tripler’s 
Manual, as important conditions to be considered in determining the 
maturity as well as the majority of applicants for enlistment: 
1. Observe the proportions of age, height, weight, &c., as given 
further on. 
2. At twenty-one years of age the wisdom-teeth are usually cut, 
and on each side of both jaws there should be found five grinders, 
viz., three large double or molar teeth and two smaller double or 
bicuspid teeth. In case of the loss of teeth the spaces originally 
occupied by them may be seen. 
Under twenty-one years of age the wisdom-teeth are seldom to be 
found, and there will, therefore, be but four grinders on each side of 
both jaws, viz., two molars and two bicuspids. 
3. At maturity there should be some beard upon the face and hair 
under the arms, a full growth around and above the genital organs, 
and some scattered hairs in the neighborhood of the anus. The 
hair of the body is generally fine and silky. 
After maturity the hair is thick and coarse in the various places 
mentioned. 
4. After maturity the skin of the scrotum is somewhat darker in 
color than the surrounding parts, is opaque, and is marked in vari- 
ous directions by wrinkles or folds. 
Before maturity this skin retains the soft, velvety condition of 
youth, its pink or fresh flesh color, and is more or less translucent, 
while the wrinkles or folds are not well pronounced, or entirely ab- 
sent, particularly at the sides. This condition of the scrotum is the 
most valuable of the signs of maturity. 
The following alterations and additions are made in paragraphs 4, 
5, and 6 of the same page (10); in the section, on page 14, headed 
“The chest should be ample-," and in the section, on page 26, 
headed “ The ears 
Page 10, paragraph 4. After “five feet ten inches” add “that 
for infantry and artillery is governed by the maximum of weight, to 
which should be applied the rule for proportion in height.” 
Addenda to the Epitome of Triplets Manual. 2 
Paragraph 5. Strike out the whole paragraph and substitute the 
following: “The minimum weight for all recruits is 128 pounds; 
the maximum for infantry and artillery is 190 pounds ; for cavalry 
and light artillery, 165 pounds.” 
These standards are based upon results obtained by skilled 
observers who, after careful study and the examination of large 
numbers of men in civil and military life, have established the fact 
that there is an average proportion in healthy, fully developed men, 
between the height, weight, chest measurement, and chest mobility, 
which will admit of slight variations without indicating a departure 
from health. The rules of this proportion may be formulated as 
follows: 
For each inch of height from 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 7 inches, 
inclusive, there should be calculated 2 pounds of weight; there 
should be a minimum “chest measurement” of 34 inches, and a 
minimum “chest mobility” of 2 inches. 
It must be clearly understood that by “chest measurement" is 
meant the mean of the measures of chest circumference during ex- 
piration and inspiration. 
When the height exceeds 5 feet 7 inches, calculate 2 pounds of 
weight for the whole number of inches of height; add to this pro- 
duct 5 pounds of weight for each inch of difference between 5 feet 
7 inches and the actual height; the sum will be the normal weight 
in pounds. 
For each inch of height above 5 feet 7 inches one-half an inch 
should be added to the minimum “chest measurement;” the mini- 
mum “chest mobility” should be 2£ inches. 
The following table shows this concisely: 
Paragraph 6. Add at end of paragraph : 
Height. 
Allow for each inch of 
height. 
Minimum chest meas- 
urement. 
Minimum chest 
mobility. 
5 ft. 4 to 5 ft. 7 - 
5 ft. 7 to 
2 Ills 
2 inches. 
2j inches. 
2 lbs., and 5 lbs. addi- 
tional for each inch 
over 5 ft. 7 in. 
34 inches, and add i 
inch for each inch 
over 5 ft. 7 in. 
For example: A man who measures 5 feet 4 inches should weigh 
128 pounds, i. e., 5 feet 4 inches=64 inches; 64 x 2=128, the normal 
weight; he should have a “chest measurement” of 34 inches, i. e., 3 
circumferential measures at inspiration and expiration being, re- 
spectively, 35 and 33 inches, the mean would be 34 inches: 35 + 33 
=68 : 68-f-2=34, the mean ; the chest mobility is 2 inches. 
A man who measures 5 feet 9 inches should weigh 148 pounds, 
i. e., 5 feet 9 inches=69 inches : 69x2=138 : difference between 5 
feet 9 inches and 5 feet 7 inches is 2 : 2 x 5=10 : 138+10=148, the 
normal weight in pounds; he should have a chest measurement of 
35 inches and a chest mobility of at least 2J inches. 
It is not necessary that the applicant should conform exactly to 
the weights indicated in the rules, a variation of a few pounds from 
either side of the standard being permissible in the minimum, 
medium, and maximum weights, if the applicant is otherwise in 
good health and desirable as a recruit. The rules are given in order 
to show what is regarded as a fair proportion ; but the minimum 
weight must be at least 125 pounds, except when less is especially 
authorized by the superintendent. 
In such cases the recruiting officer’s reasons, and the superin- 
tendent’s order, should be noted in full on the enlistment papers. 
Any considerable disproportion, however, of height over weight is 
cause for rejection. For a marked disproportion of weight over 
height do not reject, unless the applicant is positively obese. 
In order that an intelligent application of these rules and their 
variations may be made, the attention of recruiting officers is called 
to the manner in which a man’s height is made up. 
The chest, containing the heart and lungs, is the most important 
division of the body. It contains the vital machinery and repre- 
sents the staying power of the man ; it must, therefore, be ample. 
The function of the legs is to transport the body ; they should be 
well formed and sufficient, but not unduly long, for length of limb 
at the expense of the chest is a disadvantage. A long-legged, long- 
necked man, with a short chest, is objectionable as a recruit. 
The average height of a youth of 18 years of age, a “growing 
lad,” is a little over 5 feet 4 inches, and increases gradually until 
he reaches the age of 25 years—the stage of physical maturity or 
manhood—when his average height is between 5 feet 7 inches and 
5 feet 8 inches. 
During the growing period the frame-work and vital organs re- 
ceive their proper development, and considerable departures from 
the given average of proportionate height to weight indicate an im- 
pairment of these organs which may, and probably will, develop 4 
into positive disease after exposure to the hardships incident to the 
life of a soldier; hence they are of greater significance in men of 
these heights than in taller men, who are, presumably, of greater 
age and more mature growth. 
After 25 years of age, the body being fully developed, the excess 
of nutritive material over and above that required for its mainte- 
nance in health is deposited in the tissues as fat, and it will be 
found that a disproportion of weight over height occurs usually in 
adults, or men in middle life. It is rare to meet, in the recruiting 
rendezvous, with very fleshy young men. 
The following table is given for convenience of reference : 
Table of physical proportions for height, weight, and chest measure- 
ment. 
Height. 
Weight. 
Chest measurement. 
Feet. 
Inches. 
Pounds. 
Mean 
(inches). 
Mobility 
(inches). 
5 
4 
128 
34 
2 
5 
5 
130 
34 
2 
5 
6 
132 
34 
2 
5 
7 
134 
34 
2 
5 
8 
141 
34j 
5 
9 
148 
35 
2j 
5 
10 
155 
35j 
2* 
5 
11 
162 
36 
6 
169 
36i 
6 
1 
176 
37 
2* 
6 
2 
183 
37j 
6 
3 
190 
38 
Page 14. “The chest should he ample." paragraph 1. Omit all 
after the word “inches,” and all of paragraph 2, substituting the 
following: 
In taking this measure contortions of the body, such as bending 
backward to “throw out” the chest or bending forward to “ draw 
it in,” should be avoided. 
The applicant should stand erect, without muscular strain or 
rigidity; after the tape is placed in position and lies snugly and 
evenly upon the skin, and while the loose ends are held between 
the fingers of the examiner so that when the chest is expanded the 
tape will run readily through them, the applicant should be directed 
to draw in slowly and steadily a long breath, until his chest is in- 
flated to its utmost capacity, when the record of chest circumference 5 
at inspiration should be read from the tape. He is then to expel 
the air from his chest, by counting slowly and steadily from one on- 
ward, until he can no longer resist the urgent demand for inspira- 
tion, when the record of chest circumference at expiration should be 
read. This should be repeated several times to insure accuracy. 
A man whose chest measures less than 32 inches in circumference 
at expiration should be rejected. 
On page 26, strike out the paragraphs following “Deafness of 
either ear constitutes an absolute cause of rejection,” and substi- 
tute : 
As the distance at which the natural tone of voice may be heard 
in a closed room, when both ears are normal, is about 50 feet, the 
distance at which the applicant is to stand from the examiner must 
be as great as the apartments will allow, not to exceed 50 feet. 
The applicant will stand with his back to the examiner, who is to 
address him in a natural tone of voice. When the distance is less 
than 40 feet, it should be specified on the examination form, and 
the tone of voice will be lowered. Failure of the applicant to re- 
spond to the address of the examiner will demonstrate a defect. 
The personal attention of the recruiting officer or sergeant must 
be given to closing the entrance to each ear separately, by pressing 
with the thumb the small lobe (tragus) situated in front of the open- 
ing to the inner ear. 
Advantage should be taken of the absence of other sounds to 
make the examination. Recruiting officers should remember that 
a man may be totally deaf in one ear, and yet may hear all ordinary 
conversation perfectly if the sound ear is not completely stopped. 
Deafness of one ear is a bar to enlistment, but in ordinary occupa- 
tions it might not be observed. 
Deafness may be caused by an accumulation of hardened wax, 
therefore an otherwise desirable recruit should have his ears well 
cleansed before final action is taken in his case. 
The test established by General Orders, No. 82, of August 18, 
1879, from this office, for determining normal acuteness of vision 
in applicants for enlistment, having been found to admit men unable 
to qualify as marksmen by reason of defective eye-sight, has been 
discontinued, and the following rules will govern the examination 
of recruits iu this particular and take the place of the directions 6 
contained in the paragraphs headed “The eyes,” on pages 27 and 
28 of the Epitome, which follow the word “bloodshot,” page 27: 
Myopia (near-sightedness). 
Hypermetropia (over-sightedness), except when moderate and free 
from organic disease. 
Astigmatism. 
Inability to read or describe with facility the types or characters 
on the test-cards. This examination requires the greatest care and 
patience on the part of the recruiting officer ; it is made with cards 
bearing the twenty feet test-types and test-characters. 
To use the cards, measure off a distance of twenty feet in a straight 
line; place the applicant with his back to the light at one end of 
the line, while the examiner stands at the other and holds the card 
exhibiting the test types or characters in full view of the applicant 
and so that a good light falls on the card. Each eye should be 
examined separately, one being covered with a card (not with the 
hand) by an assistant who, standing behind the applicant, directs 
him to read the types on the card held by the examiner; if he can- 
not read, the card bearing the characters is presented to him, which 
he is directed to describe. The types should be read first from left 
to right and then from right to left; the characters should be de- 
scribed as to the number of arms seen on each and the direction in 
which they are pointed, whether upward or downward, to the right 
or left. 
If the applicant should be unable to read the test-types or de- 
scribe the test-characters correctly with either eye, he must be 
rejected. 
By command of Lieutenant General Sheridan : 
R. C. DRUM, 
Adjutant General. 
Official: 
Assistant Adjutant General. 
V General Orders, 
No. 39. 
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, 
Adjutant General’s Office, 
Washington, June 7, 1887. 
By direction of the Secretary of War paragraph 786 of the Regu- 
lations is amended to read as follows: 
786. In accepting recruits at rendezvous, Greenleaf’s Epitome of 
Tripler’s Manual gives the required standard of qualifications, and 
is also the standard for inspection after the recruits arrive at the 
depot ; except that the following instructions will govern in exam- 
ining the eye and ear: 
1. No recruit shall be enlisted who cannot see well, at six hun- 
dred yards distance, a black center three feet in diameter on a white 
ground. The test will be made by means of cards bearing the twenty 
feet test-types and test-characters of Snellen, which will be supplied 
by the Surgeon General; the types to be used for men who can read 
and the characters for those who cannot read. 
After arrival at the depot, the medical officer shall make further 
examination of the recruit with the charts, glasses, and other visual 
tests furnished him, with the view of determining the existence of 
astigmatism or*other defects of vision which have not been dis- 
covered at rendezvous, and any defect which would disqualify the 
recruit for rifle service is cause for rejection. 
2. Recruits will also be examined for color-blindness. Any defect 
observed will be noted on the descriptive list of the soldier, but will 
not of itself constitute a cause of rejection, except in the case of 
enlistments for the Signal Corps. The examination for this defect 
will be made by the method of Holmgren. Test-wools for the pur- 
pose, accompanied with printed directions for their use, will be 
issued to the principal recruiting depots by the Surgeon General. 
8. All men enlisted for the artillery arm of the service at a mil- 
itary post, or assigned to that arm from a depot, shall, before such 
enlistment or assignment, besides undergoing the ordinary exami- 
nation, be examined especially with a view to establishing the fact of 
the patency of the Eustachian tubes and the integrity of the tympanie 
membranes, in default of which the men are unfit for that arm. 
By command of Lieutenant General Sheridan: 
R. C. DRUM, 
Official: Adjutant General. 
Assistant Adjutant General.