MEDICAL REJECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1915, Page 8

MEDICAL REJECTIONS.

A RECRUITING PROBLEM. The percevlage of rejections by the medical examiners in connection with the recruiting offices was mentioned bv the Defence Minister (Hon. J. Allen) to a New Zealand Times reporter. The Minister said that it was true many men were rejected for minor defects that could be repajred by some slight operation, but he dicl not think the Defence Department could face the expense of securing meiftcal attendance for all these moil. Provision had been made already as far as the dental work was concerned. The man who had slight varicose veins was told by the examiners what treatment lie required in order to make him fit, and was left to make his own arrangements. The question of cost had to be considered by the department, and the ordinary public hospitals were at the disposal of the recruits. He knew that many men had gone to the hospitals in order to qualify for service. The Minister added that the whole question of the medical examination had been studied by the Director of the Medical Service, General Henderson, with the object of securing uniformity and efficiency. The doctors were given a good deal of latitude with regard to deiails, but experience had shown very clearly that a relaxation of the stand aid was not desirable. The man who was not entirely fit had very little chance of withstanding the rigours of active service.