for some time inmates of the Municipal Tuberculosis Sanatorium of 

 the city of Chicago." There were some cases of deficiency in height 

 or weight, or both combined. Dr. Harris observes in this connection 

 that "As the regulations prescribe 61 inches as the minimum height, 

 and as our instructions were to make no concessions below 61 inches, 

 of course all who fell below that height had to be rejected." "In the 

 matter of weight, however," he remarks, "more discretion is allowed 

 when the individual is otherwise in good physical condition." He 

 makes reference to one rejection on account of underweight where the 

 actual weight was 110^ pounds at the time of the examination, 

 whereas the prescribed minimum for applicant's weight was 112 pounds. 

 His chest measure was l l / 2 inches in excess of the measurement required 

 according to his height, and he was otherwise physically sound. This 

 applicant had tried in every possible way to procure exemption, and 

 the conclusion was that "he deliberately reduced his weight, as his 

 general condition was very good." Evidently cases of this kind cannot 

 be accepted as evidence of physical inferiority or physical deterioration, 

 for, quite to the contrary, the lesser weight, under given conditions, 

 may be an advantage rather than otherwise. The final recommenda- 

 tion of Dr. Harris is therefore sound: 



As the great majority of the men composing these boards are inexperienced 

 in this particular kind of work, and as many new questions will come to them 

 for solution, it would be very advantageous if there were some one of experi- 

 ence in the Provost-Marshal General's office to whom they could turn for 

 advice. Strange as it may seem there is not a physician attached to that office. 



ARMY REJECTION EXPERIENCE IN GREATER NEW YORK 



Another contribution of real value to the subject matter under 

 consideration is by Dr. Edward F. Hurd, of New York, based upon 

 the work done by the examining physicians of the Local Board for 

 Division 20, Bronx, New York City (J. A. M. A., January 5, 1918). 

 In this case the medical member of the Board had secured as his asso- 

 ciates six other physicians of the Bronx, all of whom but one had 

 for many years been engaged in the general practice of medicine. 

 The exception was a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and 

 throat. The men were examined in groups of ten in the gymnasium of 

 the New York University, and after having been asked a few questions 

 made mandatory by the Selective Draft Law, the procedure was as 

 follows : 



The man was then told to retire behind the screen. When he stepped, stripped, 

 from behind the screen, he was taken in charge by the first physician, who 

 weighed him and took his height and chest measurement. He was then passed 

 to the second physician, who examined his teeth, nose and throat, and made a 

 general inspection for deformities and abnormalities, including fiatfoot, hammer- 

 toe, etc. The third physician examined by stethoscope the heart and the lungs. 

 The fourth covered hernia, varicocele, hemorrhoids and history as to venereal 

 disease; if any question elicited a suspicion of diabetes or nephritis, a sample 



