GRADING RESERVISTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24049, 21 August 1941, Page 10

GRADING RESERVISTS

TASK OF MEDICAL BOARDS STATEMENT BY DOCTOR [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION! CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday That every care had been taken to see that the reservist was placed in his right grade was claimed by the Christchurch regional deputy, Dr. C. T. Hand Newton, in commenting on the evidence of Dr. A. B. Pearson, pathologist at the Christchurch Public Hospital, at the inquest on John Henry Knowles, a member of the National Military Reserve, who collapsed and died during manoeuvres. The medical evidence was that'Knowles died of _ heart failure, due to myocarditis. ""It is a matter of opinion as to whether middle-aged men should be subjected to the severe strain involved in military manoeuvres, but this is a matter of policy which is not the concern of the medical hoard," said Dr. Hand Newton. He had examined Knowles' file, he said, and was satisfied that every care had been taken to place him in his correct'grade. "Serious heart disease may be present without giving signs at a medical examination," added Dr. Hand Newton. "A pathologist naturally can detect many conditions that elude the physician, hut every care is taken by medical boards to reject doubtful recruits."