The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-07
ONLY TEN FAILED TO PASS.
SAVANNAH SOLDIERS HAVE FEW
PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.


Than Expected-First Regiment
Ready to Move on Grifhn-Macon
Volunteers viii Take the Place of
the German Volunteers in Lient'
Col. Brooks BattRIiOn-Battalion
VIII Not Go Before Monday.
The medical examination of the Savan
nah troops began yesterday The majority
OF the three local companies that will form
a part of the battalion of the First Regi-
mont commanded by Lieut.. Col. Jordan
F. Brooks was examined. Or. c. c. Geer
assistant surgeon of the Second Regiment,
examined 1853 men. and pronounced only
ten of them physically disqualified TO serve
in the volunteer army.
Sixty-three men of the Irish Jasper
Greens were examined, and only three
were thrown out. The Republican Blues
had fifty three men before the surgeon
on account of physical disabilities. The
Savannah Cadets had more men rejected
than either OF the other companies, though
only forty-three of their members were
examined Four were pronounced inca
pacitated.
Although only ten men of the large num-
Der examined were thrown out, there are
four or five more whose chances Of get
ting in the army are rather slim. Their
acceptance depends upon the course their
ailments may take during the short time
yet remaining before the commands make
their way TO Griffin. When men suffering
from disorders he thought might correct
themselves within day or two appeared
before the surgeon, he told them he would
wait the course of the trouble, passing or
rejecting them when the companies are
ready to leave
The examination was held at the regi.
mental armory. the quarters of the Ger.
man Volunteers having been rendered for
the purpose by Capt. Kolshorn Lieut..
Geer reported TO Col Lawlon at the arm
DRY at $780, and half an hour later the
men began TO appear before him
The commanding officers OF the compan-
les had instructed their men to be present
at the hour mentioned for examination.
and there was large number gathered to
hear whether they had such physIuues as
Uncle Sam desires in his volunteer soidiery
one command TO be examined first so
squads were taken from all three, one af-
ter another
SIX men from each of the three compan-
les first went before the surgeon. After
getting in the room, where only themselves.
the surgeon and the commissioned officer :
We're allowed, they removed their clothing
ana their appearance before the examining
oiiieer was in their birthday suits. A care
lul examination of every man then began.
When the eighteen men stood I'm line at
one side of the room, the surgeon began
his work. He first directed all the men to
turn their backs. This was to prevent them
from knowing what he was doing with the
one Immediately TO be examined DR. Geer
got has test card for the eyes, with rows of
letters of graduated sizes. One of the Of
Ulcers went down the file of men. taking
each as he came and obscuring first one
eyes sight and then the other The sur
seon held up the card and told the man
Which row OF letters TO read. Few if any.
Were thrown out on account of defective
eyes. Glasses are no bar 10 the admission
OF man wearing them, as the surgeon
mas been told to consider the glasses as q
part OF the eyes. The men, il they wear
glasses are allowed to look at the card
through them. All that is wanted is for the
eyes to be in their normal condition. even
win tne help OF glasses.
Aiter the ordeal of the eye passed. the
surgeon divided the men into SQUADS of
TOUR or five, so that he could have Ali of
them under his eye. He then tool ona
squad at a time, and put them through
some vigorous gymnastics 10 test the eff
Iectfveness Of their limbs and Joints The
men Were directed to move their fingers IN
All possible ways, as the use Of all the fin
gers Is a necessary requirement.
Inc wrists, elbows, arm sockets ankles
Knees, leg sockets and other Joints and
muscles were brought in play, the surgeon
on inc lookout all the while TO note any
olsaoilities. After the striking, swinging
ana twisting was over the surgeon passed
down the line, taking the chest EXPANSION
Nhlch must be over two inches, noting the
peat OF the heart and the inhalation and
eAhalatlon of the lungs. Other examtna-
uohs We're made, aud the men were told
one by one that they had passed of that
they had defects that made them unsatis-
factory as volunteers. After the first
uatcn, the men appeared in tens.
Dr. Geer was a hard worked man all
uay he carried on the examination I'M
III II O'Clock at night, and his work was
very fatiguing. He was Impressed with
the physical vigor of most OF the men
VINO appeared before him, as he had ex-
pected that a larger proportion would be
thrown out. The examination now in
progress is only preliminary as another
medical try at the volunteers will be had
al Grifnn, where Maj. Blair D. TAYLOR. a
surgeon of brigade of the regular army.
VIII examine them. II is said. however
that THIS Is the examination that will sci
Tie the matter so far as the volunteers are
concerned. If they pass Lieut.. Geer thew
WILL IN all probability. get by DR.. TAYLOR
DR.. Geer will continue his work TODAY
he VIII begin with more men of the bat.
TALON at 8 O'Clock. He believes he will
nnish with the three companies bv 10.
night. He does not know when he will
examine the members of the Chatham Ar.
nliery and the Guards. This he viii leave
TO the officers Of the two commands bnt
the examination of one or the other viii
begin Tomorrow
IL is expected the examination of ~,
soldlers viii show no larger percentap,
OF reflections than that in the men VIII,
went before the surgeon yesterday If M
more are thrown out than have alread,
peen, Georgia will rank ahead Of some n
the other states in point of physical abn
lty OF the volunteers. Reports nave beer
received OF as many as 40 per cent. of com
mands being rejected.
Col. A. r. Lawton has wired the adm
tant general that his regiment is now con,