INTRODUCTORY. XI 



the flag " with the active army, and the next four years in the reserve of the same. * 

 During the following five years he belongs to the temtorial army, and for the remain- 

 ing six years to the reserve. 



A certain number of young men of the active army are allowed to remain at their 

 homes "e« dlsponihiliW They take part with the reserve in two annual maneuvers, 

 neither of which exceeds four weeks in duration. 



Men are allowed to many after passing into the active reserve. The same privi- 

 lege is accorded to those "ew disponibilite" even, but they are at all times liable to be 

 summoned to the field. Shovild one of this latter class, however, become the father of 

 four children, it entitles him to be transfeired to the territorial army.^ 



Volunteers are admitted into the army under certain restrictions. They must be 

 between 18 and 24 years of age, and not below 154 centimetres in height. Since 

 January 1, 1875, the ability to read and write is also required of them." The Prus- 

 sian system of one-year volunteers has also been adopted. Young men who pass a 

 required examination are admitted as volunteers for a year. They themselves j^ay the 

 entire cost of their equipment and of their support for the year; and if at the end of 

 that term of service they pass the final examination satisfactorily, they are appointed 

 sous-officiers, or receive an equivalent commission.^ An engagement for a second year 

 on same conditions is also permitted.^ 



Men convicted of maiming themselves in order to avoid performance of military 

 duty are to be imprisoned for a year. Physicians aiding them therein are liable to a 

 fine and to imprisonment for from two months to two years.'^ 



The official instructions to the surg-eon as to his duties in examining conscripts for 

 the French army are those of April 2, 1862. They are very comprehensive." 



The candidate is to be entirely naked when examined, and is to stand in the posi- 

 tion of the soldier without arms In the general survey, certain defects are to be looked 

 for, which at once incapacitate for military service, such as marasmus, obesity, extensive 

 marks on the face of a livid, hairy, or frightful appearance ; loss of substance of the 

 cheeks ; the loss of both eyes, or of a single eye ; loss of the nose ; loss of a limb, or 

 of an essential part thereof; loss of the penis; evident deformity of a limb. Should 

 none of these appear, the examination of the entire body is to be made in detail. 

 The surgeon is to satisfy himself that the splanchnic organs are sound, and the organs 

 of the senses in full perfection; that there is nothing to impede the full use of the 

 limbs, or to render painful or difficult the carrying arms and equipment. Finally, 

 he is to ascertain that the man has no infirmity which, though not obnoxious to his own 

 health, might excite disgust among his fellow-soldiers in the close contact of military 

 quarters. The use of angesthetics in the examination is not permitted, except in hos- 

 pital-cases, where invaliding is in question. 



Table of disqualifications for the militar/j service in France. 



GENERAL DISEASES. 

 Weakness of constitution. 



Anaemia, when extreme. 



' Op. cit., p. 109. • Op. cit., p. 110; also Decret du novembre ^0, 1872. 



'^Bulletin dcs lots, etc., xii'^ serii), t. v, p. 112. ' Decret dii norembre 28, 187."?. '' Op. cit., p. 115. 



'^Instruction ponr serrir dc. guide aux offwicrs dc saiitedans I'apprc'cintioit dcs iufirmite's ou des maladien qui rriideut ivi- 

 propre au serrice%ililairc. A pprourev par le inarechal de France, miiiistrc-aecrctaire d'etat de la ijuerre, le 2 arril 18G2, d'aprh 

 la proponition du conseil de sante des armies. Folio, Paris, imprinierie impdrialo, 1862. 



