MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16258, 8 July 1918, Page 5

MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS

SOME PUZZLED RESERVISTS.

People in Wellington Eave been complaining of the results of military medical examinations. Some reservists state that they havo been rejected when they are quite" certain of their fitness, and hare this opinion supported by civilian medical men. Others say that their acceptance has surprised them, in viow of previous medical examinations. 'It is suggested that the standard lias been raued for Second Divisipn men. An "Evening Post" reporter on Saturday mentioned the matter to SurgeonGoneral Henderson (Dircctor-Gencral of. Medical Services), and was assured that there had been no change in the standard —it was "the same for the Second Division as for the First Division. Every possible precaution taken to ensure the careful examination of reservists, and specific complaints received 1 Tver 6 always investigated. The military Medical-Boards had the standard laid down by legulation, and could not depart from it. It might happen that civilian doctors, not acquainted -with this standard, might consider a_man unfit for service, while the military doctors would pass liim. Or again, there might bo an honest difference of opinion amongst the doc tore. Where reservists had been dissatisfied' with the Medical Board results, and had produced- any evidence whatever in support of their contentions, re-oxaminations had always been authorised. _ The reporter mentioned complains based on rejection or acceptance by insurance companies, and it was pointed out . that the sfcandards f were different in many respects. An insurance com-" pany might accept a man with hernia, ] though lie would not be fit for the Army. The converse applied also, insurance companies usually would not look at a man who. had anything wrong with his heart; but there were certain functional heart disorders which could be remedied by a proper course of training trader a skilled instructor in the CI Camp. These constituted no bax to military service. In any case, a man who had been rejected for insurance should always present the certificate to that effect when appearing before the I Medical Board. Many of the members of the Medical Boards also, examined for ! insurance companies, so that they were fully aware of the requirements m botn, I casc3.