of efficient military service in the field. Of all the men examined, at 

 most 35 per cent, were rejected on this ground and in conformity to 

 methods of examination more or less antiquated and inadequate to 

 the present purpose. A careful examination of the causes of rejections 

 as far as analyzed proves conclusively that probably one-half, if not 

 more, were not of a sufficiently serious nature to justify the uncon- 

 ditional rejection of the registrant or conscript as unfit for military 

 service at home and in the field. 



MISLEADING USE OF ARMY REJECTION EXPERIENCE 



UNDER THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM 



Even more misleading are the rejection data which have been 

 utilized by Dr. J. H. Quayle, of Cleveland, Ohio, in connection with 

 an argument for the "Reclamation of Men Rejected Under the Draft," 

 however admirable the suggestion may be otherwise concerning the far- 

 reaching possibilities of physical rehabilitation. Unquestionably, much 

 can be done in this respect, and much ought to be done, for the waste 

 of life and strength because of ignorance and indifference is incal- 

 culable, but the end in view does not justify the misleading use of 

 statistics which is certain to unduly alarm the public and lead to 

 entirely erroneous conclusions on the important question of physical 

 status and physical deterioration. Dr. Quayle applies the rejection 

 statistics of the Surgeon General's report for a single year, 1916, to 

 the 9,000,000 men called out under the draft, of which it is alleged only 

 1,800,000 would be physically fit, and 7,200,000 would be rejected. This 

 conclusion is absolutely grotesque and likely to hinder rather than help 

 the cause of the rehabilitation of those properly rejected under the 

 draft. The argument is advanced by Dr. Quayle upon the hypothetical 

 assumption that if 7,200,000 of the men were rejected, among others, 

 938,232 would be suffering from venereal diseases, 564,768 from heart 

 disease, 525,600 from diseases of the ear, including defects of hearing, 

 421,704 from diseases of the eye. including defects of vision, 346,392 

 from flat feet, and 296,640 from alcoholism. There are no statistics 

 extant which justify these conclusions, but it may safely be asserted 

 that they are entirely erroneous and grossly at variance with the facts. 

 For, as observed in the earlier discussion, the rejection rate experienced 

 in connection with the selection of volunteers for army service 

 during a period of peace is not evidence of the physical status of the 

 nation, and not even of the class of men examined. Furthermore, 

 recruiting rejection statistics of the Army as reported by the Surgeon 

 General's office include ages 18 to 44, whereas the Selective Draft 

 experience is limited to ages 21 to 31. The fact, also, must be kept 

 in mind that voluntary applicants for military service during a time 

 of peace include a disproportionately large number of men who have 

 lost their employment because of dissipation or immoral conduct, etc., 

 and have applied to the Army or Navy as a suitable place for reform. 



91 



