The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-09-17
Scenes in the Examining Surgeons
Omce.

Some rich scenes are daily lranspir.
ing in the Office of DIR. Hamilton, the
Surgeon appointed for examining all ap-
plicants for exemption from The draft.
Yesterday lame, limping specimen (they
GHlimp)'of about thirty, rejoicing in the
possession of a personal estate Of about
one hundred and eighty pounds ayoir-
dupOis, called on the Doctor and claimed
exemption papers.
"On what grounds ?" asked the Doctor.
81 have lame foot" said the appli-
cant, as he went limping 10 q seat.
You seem to be very lame, indeed"
remarked the Doctor, in sympathizing
tones. "Let me examine the foot"
Us il really necessary that my foot
should be examined, Doctor ~ asked ap-
plicani.
"Certainly," said the Doctor; chow
else could l certify 70 its unsoundness?"
After some hesitation, shoe and sock
were removed and q foot about fourteen
inches long fully exposed After some
scrutiny the Doctor inquired, "Where is
The wound ~
"Here it is, p said applicant "it has
been cut with an axe"
eyes, ! see il has" replied the Doctor
"but il is entirely healed and perfectly
sound. ! cannot certify TO your exemp-
tion for that cause"
Applicant heaved a sigh Of dismay.
and seemed absorbed in some sorrOwfui
reflection as he replaced his sock and
shoe. This done, be stamped his foot
down upon the floor in a manner that sig
nilied his obliviousness of the great pain
that had just before caused him such
lameness and limping, and which stamp
quite settled his foot into its former quar-
ters. Then looking up, he said TO the
doctor, Doctor, If the lame foot won't
answer, | have another all sufficient rea-
son; one that you can't refuse me eX-
emption for"
what is il - asked the doctor.
"Why, The fact is, DOCTOR | have not
got good sense am an idiot, solemnly
replied the applicant.
"Ah" said the doctor, "what proof
have yOu of that--what evidence can you
bring
Proof conclusive said applicant.
Why, sir, r0ted Jor Jim buchanan -
and If that isn't proof of a mans being
id idiot, l don't know how idiocy
could be provenw
The doctor gIavely admitted the suiIi-
cheney Of the proof, but mildly suggested
that the applicant had fully recovered
from the condition Of mental imbecility
that prompted him 10 an act 40 idiUtic.
The applicant seemed struck with the
idea took his departure, and The last we
heard Of him he was looking for a fight
ing colonel 10 enlist under.
Another man came into the office wheez-
ing and coughing they all wheeze and
cough asking for a certificate Of exemp-
tiOn. "On what ground ~ again asked
the doctor,
"Why, you see, doctor, my breathingis is
very bad ! am badly wind d-broken j
cannot run any distance az all without
getting out Of breath"
You are Just the kind Of man we want
for a soldier" said the doctor, 1--WE want
soldiers that can't yuu 20
Exit applicant; aud The last we saw OF
him he was going IL al 2.iO on a full run
hunting for a substitute
Another made his appearance with ewes
red and swollen, claiming exemption on
the ground that ho couldn't see 10
shoot"
Yes said the sympathizing doctor.
lThe doctor il always a sympathizer.,
whereby he gets AZ the truth)l Your
eyes are considerably inaamed; let me
examine them" He examines them, and
asks " what caused this trouble with
your eyes ~
j 60, q dy IN one Of them, and the
other grew sore said tho applicant.
How long since this happsned?' asked
The doctsr.
About three gears ago and haye been