MAKING MEN FIT.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 182, 19 November 1941, Page 3

MAKING MEN FIT.

LARGE RESERVOIR AVAILABLE

FOR ARMY

DOCTOR STRESSES NEED OF REMEDIAL TREATMENT

Quoting the statement of the Minister of Health, Mr Nordmeyer, that 53,000 men of those who had been examined I'or tlic armed forces had been classed as unfit, a Wellington doctor stated that it was obvious that here was a large reservoir from which men could be drawn for the Army. The means to be adopted were remedial treatment but, as he understood the position, the demands on the accommodation and staffs of civilian hospitals Avere so great thai there appeared as yet little likelihood of any large scalc remedial treatment being undertaken by the hospitals for the Anns'. He felt that of the 53,000 there would probably be at least a quarter who could be made fit, with up to two months' treatment. Among the balance there would be men Avho could be brought from the lowest grade up to a standard Avhere they would at least be fit for home service and, possibly as the result of of healthy living conditions and regular exercise in home defence units, improve in health to such an extent that they Avould pass grade 1. Up to four Aveeks' treatment would suffice to make fit, men suffering from such disabilities as bad tonsils, A'aricosc veins in the less serious form, variocele, athletes' leet skin diseases and other minor disorders. Should Exploit Possibilities The doctor said he knew of many cases of young men classed temporarily unfit Avho Avere anxious to take tlieir places in the army and Avere concerned that sc> far it had not been possible to do anything for them. In such eases the position was distinctly unfair to the men, Avho avcfc open to the reflection that they were trading on their disabilities. On the other hand, if there avci-c men who did so, the' sooner something Avas dene to make them fit enough to assume their proper responsibilities the better. It Avould only create illfeeling if married men Avere called lip before the possibilities of making single already balloted fit, had been exploited to the utmost.

He appreciated that the fault did not lie with the Army, winch could make little progress toward the end he had in view unless adequate hospital facilities were available.

Kit for British Prisoners As soon as a British officer or man; is reported to be a prisoner of war and his address becomes known, he is sent the following kit by the British War Office:—One F.S. cap, one battle dress (complete), one cc-mb, one tooth brush, one greatcoat, bootlaces, hussifs, braces, two pairs of cellular pants, two pairs of woollen pants, one pair of gloves;, one pullover, two shirts, two pairs of socks, two woollen vests, two hand towels. From the British Red Cross he rei ceives tw r o> blankets and two suits of pyjamas.