MEDICAL TEST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24826, 28 January 1942, Page 6

MEDICAL TEST

RESERVISTS EXAMINED FIRST MARRIED MEN GOOD GRADING ATTAINED The medical examination of the first Dunedin draft of married men and also 18-year-olds called for military service in last week’s ballot was carried out at the Dental School last night. In under three hours 90 reservists were put through their initial paces before finally joining the army for territorial service, and if the same rate is maintained for future sittings of medical boards the 2000 Dunedin reservists should all be examined within six weeks. Two-thirds of the reservists examined last night were married men and the remainder were youths. Approximately 70 per cent, were passed fit for home service, and about 10 per cent, were deferred for examination by medical specialists of various types before they will be graded. Only a fraction of the men were sifted down into t.he lower classifications reserved for those not fit for service. The grading for home service is not as high as for overseas, and minor disabilities do not disqualify reservists from being classed fit in grade II for service. Procedure outlined On arrival at the Dental School each reservist was ushered into a lecture room. Several military and civilian clerks from the records office at the Kensington Drill Hall filled in papers, giving each man’s family history, date of birth, and technical qualifications. The papers went with the reservists through all stages, but before the men were called in batches to enter upon their medical examinations, they were asked to choose from 11 units the branch of army service which they preferred. In the order of their arrival, the men were then directed into a series of rooms to undergo i various tests. Their height, weight, and chest measurements were taken and their eyes tested. This section of the examination was conducted by members of the St. John Ambulance Association, under the supervision of Mr D. McLean. From there the men were drafted to the seven medical boards, each of which consisted of two doctors, to have their blood pressure taken and their heart, nerves, chest, and limbs examined, and their previous medical history analysed.

How Men Are Graded

Leaving the medical boards, the men handed over their papers, in order to avoid later complications. They were conducted at the rate of about one a minute into the presence of the regional deputy for the Otago military area. Colonel R, H. Fulton. He reviewed the papers, and established the grading of the men. ’ He was assisted by junior house surgeons from the Dunedin Hospital. Instructions for men to proceed to medical specialists for a further examination of any weaknesses disclosed were also issued, where necessary, by Colonel Fulton. In such cases the reservist’s grading will not be finally established until the report of the specialist has reached the records office, and again reviewed by the regional deputy. Colonel Fulton said there was no marked difference in the standard of medical fitness of married men and that of single men called in previous ballots. About the same average was maintained, he said. Finally clear of the medical examinations, the men moved into another room to be attested and to take the oath of allegiance. It is here that difficulties occasionally arise, and last night one man, claiming to be a Jehovah’s Witness, refused to take the King’s oath. Usually when this happens he is taken aside and his obligations are explained to him, and comparatively few hold out. Last night’s objector did. Meeting “ Santa Claus ’’ With the attestation completed, the men, in accordance with their grading, were interviewed by Mr T. G. Cooney, who issued notices to attend X-ray examinations. Each man’s papers were ,hen placed by military officers on a oacking sheet, which had previously seen prepared, representing the basis of each man’s personal file. The original papers go forward to Base Records in Wellington, and the duplicates remain in the Dunedin records office for future reference. The last duty of the reservist was ;o call on the pay clerk, who is popularly known in the army as “ Santa Dlaus.” Here he received a warrant for 7s, his first day’s pay from the army. Men required to travel any distance to attend the examination received an additional allowance to cover extra expenses. The whole pro-

Icedure worked so smoothly that it was not difficult to appreciate the_ claim made by the records officer, Lieutenant H. J. Moynihan, who has had experience elsewhere in New Zealand, that the medical board system followed in Dunedin will bear favourable comparison with that operating at any other centre in the Dominion. A further draft of reservists will attend for medical examination tomorrow night, and four more sittings will probably be arranged for next week.