GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. I. IF there be one point on which, more than on any other, the efficiency of the rank and file of an army depends, that point is the proper discharge of the duties of the RECRUITING SERVICE. By military regulation, this is confided to the recruiting line officer and the inspecting medical officer. The opinion is entertained by some that these duties consist in a simple routine of almost superficial examination, while others think that it scarcely requires medical scrutiny to select recruits. How this matter is viewed in the military establish ments of Europe appears by the following extracts from foreign authorities. "In a financial, a political, and perhaps, I may add, in a medical point of view, I am not aware of any part of the duty of a medical officer which is of more importance than the inspection of recruits on a large scale, and the examination of inefficient soldiers; and consequently these duties deserve a very careful consideration."-Marshall on Soldiers. "The duty of inspecting recruits, and of determining whether they are fit or unfit for the military service of the country, is one of the most difficult and responsible that an army surgeon has to perform."-Prussian Regula tions. "The duty of inspecting recruits and conscripts requires the utmost impartiality, skill, and circumspection on the part of the medical officer."-Austrian Regulations. II. The constitution of an army, therefore, being manifestly based on the moral, mental, and physical integrity of recruits, military surgeons should be well informed on the subject of enlisting men for service. Reputation for accurate and intelligent discharge of this and every point of duty, is a high consideration with medical officers; and that no motive be wanting to insure the utmost attention, a pecuniary responsibility is here attached, in which the recruiting officers and surgeons are, according to circumstances, involved. III. If recruits, or subjects for enlistment, were drawn from those who adopt the profession of arms from the love of it, or from men stimulated by patriotic motives, the duty of inspection would be divested of much embarrassment that is now inseparable from it. It cannot, however, and it ought not to be concealed that in this country, in time of peace, recruits are drawn from a very different class of men; from the intemperate, the indolent, if not from the vicious. This, and the fact that the proportion of foreigners in our ranks is very great, presenting every variety of physique and morale for examination, require great circumspection; the more especially as the surgeon is liable to be placed on this duty immediately on entering the service, when he cannot have had the lights of experience. To aid the officers of the medical staff, and to facilitate the purposes of others engaged in the recruiting service, this work is offered, with great deference, for their consideration. |