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North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13929, 10 July 1917, Page 4

MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS. In another column this morning) Avq publish particulars revealing the unsatisfactory state of affairs which exists to-day in connection with the medical examinations under the Military Hd'vr.e Act. Numerous complaints have reached us of the inexplicable decisions which from time to time have been given by the medical examiners, and we are assured upon unimpeachable testimony that the jtirae is over-ripe for the most searching inquiry to be instituted by the Government. It seems utterly hopeless to expect the' Defence Department to rise to the occasion and uialcW llii? very serious question, but that does not dispose of many glaring blunders I which have been committed by the Medical Boards, or- reassure the 'public that these serious aspects of military service are being closely scrutinised. In the special article which wc publish this morning, the details given do not refer to mistake.:! on one particular date, or by

one., particular Board. The first case came before a Board in February, the second and third, mentioned by a correspondent, were dealt .with in April and May. The public would not be so concerned regarding the, work of the Medical Boards, were the eases which come under notice mere isolated

instances, of the failure of medical officials to correctly diagnose the reservist's physical condition, but we are rather afraid that if tho Defence Department were to show .•its hand, and.announce the-num-ber of men who come into camp, passed as tit by the Medical Boards and are eventually discharged from camp as failing to eome up •to the requirements of the military authorities) the public would be very greatly shocked, We desire to call special attention tn I he ease ol ! the reservist, who was sent into 'camp by a Medical Board, despite the fact that the reserviet himself was candid ceoui'li to warn the doctors of his physical weaknesses. There are one or two aspect of this ease which, should be the subject of the closest enquiry, and we are nol so sure that the. reservist has not a legal claim for compensation against -ho State, lie has an undeniable claim the medical officers who primarily were responsible for his domestic discomfiture, his heavy financial

josses and the further inroads which worry and sickness matL upon his low state of health. Certainly lie lias a moral claim against the oineinlsroj the State who,are responsible for passing ns first class, a man who at the timoof examination was suffering pain caused by n long standing internal complaint. In this case the unfortunate man was under x medie;il examination within three hours of his arrival in camp, and although he spent six weeks at Trenthuni, (luring I the,whole of that time, he did not put in half n day's dvil'. Another phase of the case under review, is the failure of the Defence Department to make the re r .jjular allowances to the dependants ;if the soldier. Surely this should not be. Here is n man called up tor service,- who brpgks. up his liome and goes to the expense of removing his wife and child to the vicinity of his friends, and then goes into camp trusting to the State,to pay the allowances to his wife, only to find on his return six wee¥ later, thsl his wife lm received no mouey-at all, during his absences and is put to the further trouble of writing four letters before the allowance is forthcoming,'and has to make a'fifth application before the allowance for the child is paid.-. We hope for the ppfl llllffl§ ''pj [Lie cpjmte • that some- reasonabW gsplanfttWjA will bo" forthcoming.. In the meantime, the matter of medical' examinations' calls'for- the closest enqiiir'/, There' are eminent medical practitioners who look upon the proseut

piocoduie, so fai* <ts Hie medical examinations ate concerned, ns little shout ot faieual as it is pontendul lluit o nuili cal piaetitionci can coneeth diagnose the .-.physical state ol' a reservist unless he knows something of the man's health record,and has before him the family history of the person under examination. The. Defence Department, .in its wisdom, has accepted- the present scheme, and must accept full responsibility for the mistakes of its servants. That the position is most unsatisfactory, is evidenced by the state of affairs reyealcd in the particulars we publish in another column, and we warn the Govwiment that only the fullest enquiry will calm the giwii'ig indignation of the general public.