to extenuation, this is assignable either to deformity from faulty developement, or else to want of use, occasioned most likely by some disease or injury of the extremity, precluding or limiting motion. Such result is usually very evident, so much so as to be visible generally without measurement, which, if resorted to, will always afford a considerably greater deficiency than that specified as commonly pertaining in healthy men, but could not be accurately defined. What is comprehended by deformity is easily understood, and in any situation must be accounted serious; in the upper extremities this pertains most usually as crooked or shortened limbs. Should one arm be found shorter than the other, or both disproportionably shorter than usual, or any other symmetrical derangement likely to create an inefficiency, the man ought to be rejected.

"12.-An unnatural excurvature or incurvature of the spine."

If a skeleton be examined, it may be remarked that there are three natural antero-posterior curvatures of the spine. In the cervical region the convexity is anterior, in the dorsal the concavity, and in the lumbar region again the convexity. If any lateral projection prevails it is abnormal. Several deviations from the natural condition, even in recruits to a disqualifying extent, are frequently seen.

Potts' curvature may be dismissed in a few words, as any detectable amount, after the most favourable termination, is inadmissible in a soldier. The forms

of distortion of the spine usually determined as unconnected with actual disease of the column and referable to various causes, therefore only remain for remark. With reference to the amount and origin, as well as in some respects to the direction of the convexity of the irregularity, they require a careful observance. If much deformity is occasioned, as a crooked position, with one shoulder habitually higher than the other, even without the more remarkable distortions, the man is, independent of cause or a robust appearance, unfit for a soldier.

In the skeletons of healthy individuals, a lateral yielding of the spine is usually observable; it is said that the convexity of the curve is generally to the side of the body that has been most exercised, as the subject may have been right or left handed. A trifling increase of this very common deviation to the degree of a slight lateral curvature, not producing a crooked figure or an unsightly difference in the level of the shoulders, when occurring as often seen with a habit of perfect health, ought not to be esteemed a disability.

A form of curvature similar to the lateral in its perfect freedom from any disease of the vertebræ, and presenting a posterior convexity usually in the lower cervical and dorsal vertebræ, is often discovered.* Round shouldered, and persons having an habitual stoop, are afflicted with modifications of this affection. The observations of Mr. Marshall on this state are accurate and worthy of recollection,

*This seems an excess of the natural curvature.

Stooping or round shouldered men are particularly objectionable as recruits, even although they may possess sound health and great muscular power.

The origin of these distortions is assignable most usually either to particular employments or delicate health at some period; rachitis, a short leg, and other causes, are also occasionally the attributable influences. The positions maintained continually by clerks, &c., favour their developement. Certain occupations which occasion the exertion of one side of the body more than the other, by increasing the power of the muscles of one side, cause the balance of antagonism to be thereby overcome, and the spine slightly yields. In the class of young men who offer themselves for enlistment, the origin is generally assignable to either of the last two causes, so that if the effect be not disfiguring it is of less importance than when the consequence of previous delicate health. It is not to be forgotten that, in these cases especially, the presence of robust health should be clearly ascertained.

"13.-Hernia, or a tendency to that disability from preternatural enlargement of the abdominal ring.”

Hernia is not an infrequent cause of discharge in cavalry and infantry. This cannot be wondered at when we consider the general exciting causes of this disease, its prevalence amongst all classes, and the duties of soldiers. There are most likely a few ruptured men in every regiment, yet I conceive it * This, of course, only applies when the irregularity is extensive.

reflects credit on the examining officers that the numbers are not greater.-One of the commonly recognised exciting causes of oblique inguinal hernia is undue exertion of the muscular boundaries of the abdomen, or rather of those muscles whose contractions diminish the cavity, assisted doubtless by other causes. Such influences produce the disease either as the result of a single or a few excessive exertions, or, as is most frequently the case, the yielding is more chronic, the progression gradual.

The duties of soldiers, especially in the cavalry, where any tendency to laxity exists, encourages the progressive extension and yielding of the tissues which usually resist the descent of ruptures. When equable pressure and resistance are maintained by the parieties and viscera, as long as the equilibrium is every where established, the integrity of the limits and contents is intact; but when the tissue of the parieties yields, either from undue exertion or from the predisposing effects of weakness in the resisting structure, the result must be a hernia. In cavalry, the frequent necessity of forced respiration and the consequent opposing application of the abdominal muscles, daily required when riding fast, as well as sudden or continuous exertion, occasioning excessive muscular power, appear capable in many instances of developing a predisposition, or creating the disease. Dragoons ride for hours together with and without stirrups, they cannot rise in their saddles; the constant bumping thus occasioned, as well as

the wearying strain on the lower part of the abdomen, tends to the production of rupture; this is frequently undergone with the pressure of a sword and sabertash, weighing over six pounds, pendant from the waist and influencing downwards. Cavalry soldiers constantly attribute their ruptures to riding horses with very rough action, but they especially lay stress on the effect of working in the saddle for hours continuously.

The duties of infantry soldiers also subject them to the exciting causes of hernia. Standing for a length of time on parade, marches and light infantry drill while sustaining the weight of knapsack, &c., both from the amount of exertion necessitated by this employment, and the limited thoracic motion caused by the restriction of the straps of the knapsack interfering with respiration, tend to this disability.

Nevertheless, the employments of soldiers in either branch of the service cannot, as exciting causes, be esteemed as extensively preponderating over the ordinary occupations of civilians in the same class of life. Yet, if the degree of care that is taken to prevent the admission of men with evidences of this affection into the army, and other circumstances be considered, it must be admitted that these influences prevail to a somewhat greater extent.

Athough many soldiers, the subjects of rupture, remain in the army and perform their duties, it is unnecessary to advance arguments to medical officers