167

A.—2

(b.) Measurement of height. The candidate will be placed against the standard with his feet together, and the weight thrown on the heels, and not on the toes or outside of the feet. He will stand erect without rigidity, and with the heels, calves, buttocks, and shoulders touching the standard; the chin will be depressed to bring the vertex of the head level under the horizontal bar, and the height will be noted in parts of an inch to eighths. (c.) Measurement of chest. The candidate will be made to stand erect with his feet together, and to raise his arms over his head. The tape will be so adjusted round the chest that behind its upper edge touches the inferior angle of the shoulder-blades, and in front its lower edge touches the upper part of the nipples. The arms will then be lowered to hang loosely by the side, and care will be taken that the shoulders are not thrown upwards or backwards so as to displace the tape. The candidate will then be directed to take a deep inspiration several times, and the maximum expansion of the chest will be carefully noted. The maximum expansion rarely exceeds the average minimum by more than 2 in. to 24 in. The minimum and maximum will then be recorded thus, Jf, 2jL &c. In recording the measurements fractions of less than \ in. should not be noted. (d.) The candidate will also be weighed, and his weight recorded on the proceedings of the Board. (c.) Eyesight. The regulations regarding the examination of eyesight are as follows : Squint, or any morbid condition of the eyes or of the lids of either eye liable to the risk of aggravation or recurrence, will cause the rejection of trie candidate. The examination for determining the acuteness of vision includes two tests —one for distant, the other for near vision. The army test-types will be used for the test for distant vision, without glasses, except where otherwise stated below, at a distance of 20 ft.; and Snellen's optotypi for the test for near vision, without glasses, at any distance selected by the candidate. Each eye will be tested separately, and the lids must be kept wide open during the test. The candidate must be able to read the tests without hesitation in ordinary daylight. A candidate possessing acuteness of vision, according to one of the standards herein laid down, will not be rejected on account of an error of refraction, provided that the error of refraction in the following cases does not exceed the limits mentioned, viz. : (a) In the case of myopia, that the error of refraction does not exceed 25 D; (6) that any correction for astigmatism does not exceed 25 D; and (c) in the case of myopic astigmatism, that the total error of refraction does not exceed 25 D. Subject to the foregoing conditions, the standards of the minimum acuteness of vision with which a candidate will be accepted are as follows : — Standard 1. Right Eye. Left Eye. Distant vision .. V » 6/6. V = 6/6. Near vision .. Reads 0, 6. Reads 0, 6. Standard 11. Better Eye. Worse Eye. Distant vision .. V = 6/6. V, without glasses = not below 6/60; and after correction with glasses = not below 6/24. Near vision .. Reads 0, 6. Reads 1. Standard 111. Better Eye. Worse Eye. Distant vision . . V, without glasses = not below V, without glasses = not below 6/24 ; and after correction 6/24 ; and after correction with glasses = not below with glasses = not below 6/6. 6/12. Near vision .. Reads 0, 8. Reads 1. Inability to distinguish the principal colours -will not be regarded as a cause for rejection, but the fact will be noted in the report, and the candidate will be informed. The degree of acuteness of vision of all candidates for commissions (including preliminary examinations) will be entered in their reports in the following manner : — 0 „, ■ ,( Right eye V = Reads bumcient \ T f, J T7 - d,„j ( Left eye V = Reads r . , A . ( Right eve V = Reads Defective | Le ? t eye V = f... Reads No relaxation of the standard of vision will ever be allowed. The following additional points will then be observed : (/.) That his hearing is good. (g.) That his speech is without impediment. (1t,.) That his teeth are in good order; loss or decay of ten teeth will be considered a disqualification; decayed teeth, if well filled, will be considered as sound;, non-erupted wisdom teeth should not be counted as deficient, (j.) That his chest is well formed, and that his lungs and heart are sound, (k.) That he is not ruptured. (I.) That he does not suffer from a severe degree* of varicocele or varicose veins; a candidate who has been

* A definition of severe varioocele may be obtained from the Director-General, Army Medical Service, War Office; London S.W.