ARMY MEDICAL TEST
SLACKENING • OP AUSTRALIA!? . STANDARD HEIGHT REDUCED ONE INCH A full statement was mads last by tho Commonwealtli Minister of Defence with l regard to tile reduced stan- '< Sard' 'of physical fitness required for recruits for the Expeditionary Forces. As has already been announced (saysthe "Ago")' tho recently .held medical conference has recommended a general slackening in the examination. The: lieiglit limit is to be reduced to 5 foot 2 inches—winch is the minimum height for' British regiments of the line. The regulation regarding teeth has been relaxed, the medical officers having been: supplied with an ejxact definition of a "bad mouth" to go upon. .No change is to be nmde in the chest measurement, required, as it' is stated ;that men with' small measurement are generally of poor • ■ physique. Presumably, however, an exceptional case in this respect:might be. dealt with on special'lines. The report of the conference was made available by tho Minister of Defence; and reads as! follows:— ; Standard of Fitness for Active Service, - This subject, ijas discussed at tho meeting of principal medical officers on June 25, 19io. fhero was very little difference in the practice being followed in each' military district, and standing ' orders were being correctly interpreted. ; After full discussion,; with the object of assisting 'enlistment, 'it was decided to recommend'that the following stan- ~ dard be, adopted.' It will have the effect of slightly reducing the standard, and . ' consequently the!number of rejections ■ will be' less. . Ro Teeth.—The standing orders now , read:— The acceptance or rejection* of .a re: "The acceptance or rejection of a t®- - cruit on account of loss or decay of teeth will depend on the consideration ' of tho relative position of the sound, teeth.and the physical-condition of the recruit. Thus tholo'ss of many teeth in a man of indifferent constitution would point to rejection, whilst a robust' recruit whd/has lost an equal number might be accepted. ' Too much! attention cannot be paid to ■ tlie: latter point." The above will be interpreted as regards the minimum 'requirements. : Men possessing teeth as under will be regarded as "fit" :— • _ r : (a) With serviceable incisors and any; opposing molars j . : : j,' ..(b) "With .serviceable incisors' and opposing 'canines and ■ bicuspidson : tne';,' saiiie side;' '._ . _ : (c) With serviceable incisors ■in both j aws and, well fitting'permanent sets of. fake teeth (upper'ana lower); ' (d) ■ Complete upper set, .with serviceable lower incisors and bicuspids or ; molars. In all cases where false teeth are al-.~ lowed as substitut'o the plate must bo well fitting and permanent. Temporary., plates fitted within thrco months of extraction will not be-passed.■ Lower.plates may be considered as. an advan-1 tage; but complete lower - sets will. not. be considered sufficient. . ■ -. _;• ■ Re"Varicocele.—Slight varicocele will, not be a bar to enlistment. Permission has already been given to ■ accept men with hernia scars, provided the wound is strong and sound; " As regards chest, measurement, it was pointed out that tlie standard is at pro sent very low, and no reduction was recommended.' as.men rejected for being ■ , "under chest" are generally of poor physique. . The- Minister stated that he had approved of the recommendations of the principal medical officers and acting director of medical services," arrived at.at their . ; : r
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Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2507, 7 July 1915, Page 8
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530ARMY MEDICAL TEST Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2507, 7 July 1915, Page 8
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