SURGEON GENERAL’S OFFICE, 
Richmond, Va., June 25, 1862. 
The indifference with regard to records of gunshot injuries, and surgi- 
cal operations thereby originated, heretofore manifested by Medical Offi- 
cers, necessitates their being instructed to keep accurate and reliable re- 
cords of all such cases, and, in view of its importance, to give the subject 
every attention. 
This is demanded not only in justice to the corps of which they are 
members, and from which much interesting and useful statistical infor- 
mation will be expected at the close of the war, but also for the benefit 
of the science of surgery at large, which should not be robbed of the 
advantages supposed to accrue from so extended a field of observation as 
that which now presents itself. 
To promote the accomplishment of this purpose, Medical Inspectors 
will give special attention to the examination of case books, and will 
report the relative industry and accuracy with which these records are 
preserved. / 
S. P. MOORE, 
Surgeon General.