Board of Examining Surgeons' Certificate
On December 26, 1893, a Board of Examining Surgeons at Houston, Texas physically examined Elias Roberts for his claim of increase, Pension Claim No. 17403, listing his conditions as rupture, rheumatism in the right arm and leg, piles, and old age. The board recorded his vitals — pulse 80, respiration 20, temperature 98, height 5 feet 10 inches, weight 138 pounds, age 70 — and found a small oblique inguinal rupture at the external ring that he controlled with a truss and had had for about seven years, occasional rheumatism with no visible joint disease, a small external and non-irritated case of piles, and otherwise judged him, for his age, "not decrepit," walking with a firm and active step. No disability rating was actually filled in on the form. Only one board member, Jas. Cowling, signed — as Treasurer — leaving the President and Secretary lines blank.
Full Transcription
(top, printed instructional text:) ☞ Attention is invited to the outlines of the human skeleton and figure upon the back of this certificate, and they should be used whenever it is possible to indicate precisely the location of a disease or injury, the entrance and exit of a missile, an amputation, &c. The absence of a member from a session of a board and the reason therefor, if known, and the name of the absentee, must be indorsed upon each certificate.
(handwritten, "Insert character and number of claim" field:) Rupture, rheumatism [in] right arm & leg / Piles, old age
Pension Claim No. 17403
Name and rank of claimant: Elias Roberts, Rank, Pri[vate]
Company ___, Reg't Texas
(Post-office address of the Board:) Houston, State, Texas
(Date of examination:) Dec. 26, 1893.
We hereby certify that in compliance with the requirements of the law we have carefully examined this applicant, who states that he is suffering from the following disability, incurred in the service, viz: All disability accrued since his discharge.
And that he receives a pension of eight dollars per month.
He makes the following statement upon which he bases his claim for increase. (no additional statement written in the ruled space provided)
Upon examination we find the following objective conditions: Pulse rate, 80; respiration, 20; temperature, 98; height, 5 feet 10 inches; weight, 138 pounds; age, 70 years.
Rupture, oblique inguinal, a small external at external ring, 1/4 inch circumference, no impulse on coughing. He states that it descends into scrotum. There was no part down when examined. Wears a truss. Has never had any trouble with it. Has had it about seven years. Rheumatism. No atrophy or hypertrophy of joints, tendons, muscles. No stiffness of right hip, leg or arms. States he has it occasionally, no pathological evidence of disease. Piles: there is a small external, not congested or irritable. Old age: for his years he is not decrepit, is upright, walks with firm steps & active motion.
(Rate for each cause of disability section, left blank:) ___. He is, in our opinion, entitled to a ___ rating for the disability caused by ___, ___ for that caused by ___, and ___ for that caused by ___.
___, Pres. ___, Sec'y. Jas. Cowling, Treas.
(printed, bottom:) N. B. — Always forward a certificate of examination whether a disability is found to exist or not.
(7567—200,000.) 6—552
