WAR OFFICE ACTIVITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7765, 24 July 1903, Page 2

WAR OFFICE ACTIVITY.

REPLACING TEETH LOST IN.

ACTIVE SERVIfI!!.

A new moot point has arisen for discussion in the debating circles of the military

canteens,

It has been decided at the War Office that soldiers invalided from the service who have lost their teeth as a result of active servico may be provided with a free issue of false teeth. Men not invalided are also to be furnished with a set of Army teeth if it can be certified that 1 the loss of their own is caused by active service in the field.

Moreover, warrant officers and sergeants who aro vinablc,'' by reason of dental deficiency, to say " 'shun " with the necessary emphasis and clearness will also be served -.out with a set of teeth, if by those means they are rendered medically efficient.

There is no difference of opinion as to the necessity and wisdom cf this new departure. It was proved in South Africa tl>at a soldier may be as easily rendered inefficient by unsound teeth as by unsound lungs or legs. But the question that has arisen for discussion is as to the meaning of " the result of active service." The loss of teeth caused by the kick of an Army Service Corps mule would clearly entitle to an issue. But there is considerable difference of opinion whether dental injury caused by the mastication of "hard tack" will be held to constitute a claim.

Even soldiers who do not think that the hardness of the Army biscuit should be as a cause of injury agree that a man who can prove that he ever had served out to him a ration of South African goat would be entitled to a claim.

In the German and French armies great care has for a long time been bestowed upon the preservation of the soldiers' teeth. In the American army gold-stopped teeth seem to be part of the uniform, since they are almost as frequent in the mouths of the soldiers as language. But the gold stoppings are not part of the official equipment. If an American citizen is not bom with gold stopping he acquires that . national characteristic before he is accepted as a recruit.

The new War Office regulation will only be criticised by people who do not know the importance of tho question it concerns.