400 LAND REFORM 



National Defence is that of " Physical Deterioration." 

 According to the "Army Medical Department Report" 

 for the year 1903 (Cd. 2434, 1905), the number of 

 recruits inspected during the year was 69,553. ^^ 

 these 22,382, or 321*80 per 1000, were rejected as 

 unfit, and 47,171, or 678 "20 per 1000, passed fit for 

 service ; 1022 of the latter, however, were discharged 

 within three months of enlistment as unfit for service, 

 thus making the total number of rejections equal to 

 23,404, or a ratio of 336*49 per 1000. Compared with 

 the corresponding ratios of the previous year (1902), an 

 increase of 14*61 occurred in the ratio of rejection on 

 inspection, but a decrease of 3*54 is shown in those 

 rejected within three months of enlistment. The total 

 ratio of rejection therefore increased by 11*07, ^^^^ 

 ratio of men found fit having decreased in the year by 

 the same proportion. 



But recruits come mainly from those classes which, 

 from their condition in life, may be expected to be low 

 down in the scale of physical strength. There are 

 grounds, therefore, for hoping that the enormous per- 

 centage of young men rejected as unfit for the public 

 service does not accurately represent the actual state 

 of the health of the people, but at present there are no 

 tests by which this information can be got. 



In 1903 the Duke of Devonshire appointed a Com- 

 mittee to inquire into the subject.^ With regard to the 



^ The Terms of Reference to the Committee were : (i) To determine 

 with the aid of such counsel as the medical profession are able to give, 

 the steps that should be taken to furnish the Government and the nation 

 at large with periodical data for an accurate comparative estimate of the 

 health and physique of the people ; (2) To indicate generally the causes of 

 such physical deterioration as does exist in certain classes ; and (3) To 

 point out the means by which it can be most effectually diminished. 

 For Report and Evidence see Cd. 2175, Cd. 2210, Cd. 2186, 1904. 



