MEDICALLY UNFIT

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1913, Page 5

MEDICALLY UNFIT

RECRUITS AND THE TEST.

CAUSES OF REJECTION

AN INTERESTING REPORT,

(Our Parliamentary Reporter). WELLINGTON, This Day

Three per cent, of New Zealand’s territorial recruits were found last year .to be medically unfit for immediate service, and were put aside for twelve months, while 565 out of the 3803 recruits examined, representing 9 per cent., were rejected as permanently unfit. It is instructive to note the opinions of Colonel Purdy, Director of Medical Services, upon the physique, of the young men who came under observation.

Among the causes of complete rejection, physical disability takes top place, accounting for 21 per cent., heart disease and defective vision disposed of 17 per cent., hut only 3 per cent, of the-rejec-tions were due to under development. .The examinations of territorials* was a most stringent one, says Colonel Purdy, as only thoroughly fit youths could be of service in the army. There were practically no rejections for bad teeth. Under the new regulation those with bad teeth who would have been otherwise rejected are being drafted into the rifle clubs.

The principal causes for rejection under the class were physical disablements, diseases of the heart and defective vision. A marked improvement in the general care of the mouth was noticed, and there was also evidence of an improvement in the general physical condition. The majority of disordered hearts was undoubtedly due to cigarette smoking, particularly the inhalation of cigarette smoke. A little good advice is given regarding footwear, the medical officer's having noted that in all camps, a large proportion of men were treated for sore, feet. The majority of such cases was. due to badly fitting and improper boots. It is to he be deplored, states the'report, that more men do not’wear the admirable hoot supplied by the defence, authorities. If hoot were universally worn, there would he quite a. 90 per cent; reduction of men suffering from sore feet.