PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF RAILWAY MEN.

When first making an investigation of this subject, about twelve years since, I was surprised to find its complete non-existence except in two systems of railway in which, for the purpose of insurance, examinations were made, but with no reference to service further than this might reach. In both instances there was then no examination made of vision or color perception. Gradually this has changed from an examination first made from a special train, and very hastily, until now, when a few railway systems employ competent examiners to make the tests; but I think there is yet great room for improvement. The recent examinations for service in the volunteer army demonstrated that there are many defective men, and if the temporary service in this war required such physical perfection, certainly the long and arduous service on a railway ought to require men of as perfect physical conformation as can be