ARMY MEDICAL GRADING

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25713, 27 January 1949, Page 3

ARMY MEDICAL GRADING

NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM N.Z. ADOPTS CANADIAN METHOD (P.A.) WELLINGTON, January 26. The New Zealand Army has adopted a new method of medical grading known as the “pulheems” system. It is based on a study of what each individual can do, and is designed to make the most efficient use of manpower. Because of the problems encountered in the Second World War in grading recruits medically, the Canadian Army developed the “pulheems” system, which is now in use in the British Army, in the Royal Navy, and in the Royal Air Force.

The pulheems” system is a concise, handy way of showing fitness in terms of eight factors, most of which can be accurately measured. The word “pulheems” is formed from the initial letters of the words use# to name these seven factors: physique, upper extremities, lower extremities, hearing, eyesight (right eye), eyesight (left eye), mental capacity, and stability. All except two of the factors reveal a physical or bodily capacity. “Physique” shows overall fitness and toughness, and takes into account size, weight, muscular strength and the soundness of lungs, heart, stomach and kidneys. The factor, ‘‘upper extremities,” shows how well a man can grasp, hold, lift and handle articles, and takes into account the bones, joints and muscles of the shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. The factor “lower extremities” describes ability to walk, march, run, jump and climb. “Mental capacity” assesses ability to learn and to perform Army duties, and takes into account native intelligence, knowledge of tools, arithmetic and the meaning of words. “Stability” measures the degree of self-control and emotional "slaying power” under the conditions and stresses of military life. In each factor there are gi ades showing degrees of fitness and ability. A man is described in terms of all eight factors by expressing his eight grades in a single line of figures, and always in the order in which “pulheems” is spelt.