166 REPORTS OF EXAMINING SURGEONS. 



soldiers, l)ut tliey are characterized by a low mean stature.^ If a nunimnm limit of 

 stature is to be enjoined, it should be made to vary according as the mean stature of 

 different races is found to vary, otherwise the Government would defraud itself of the 

 military service due. The difficulty of establishing such varying standards, even when 

 tlie population is homogeneous, would be so great that it would be obviously wiser to 

 consult the interest of the state by expunging from the recruiting-code all limitations 

 of the kind. During the debates concerning the re-organization of the French army in 

 1.S72, and, indeed, long before that period, this abolition of a minimum limit was advo- 

 cated by Boudin,"'^ Broca,^ Arnould,* Lagneau,^ Chenn,^ and Larrey.^ Notwithstanding 

 the decided views advanced by these distinguished men, a limitation of stature was 

 inserted in the new law. It was slightly reduced from the preceding standard ; being 

 made 154 centimetres, or 60.631 inches, English. 



Although the height of the intended recruit, the circumference of his chest, and 

 his physical development generally, are matters of proportion, and may be safely in- 

 trusted to the circumspection of the examining-surgeon, the case is altogether different 

 as regards the age at which he should be allowed to commence his military career- 

 All authorities are agreed as to the injui'ious consequences of enlisting men under 

 twenty years of age for service in the field. Humanity to the young soldier, economy 

 to the government, and justice to- the commanding general, are alike subserved by 

 rejecting partially-grown youths, if wanted for immediate service. By disease and 

 fatigue, such immature soldiers are, as Lord Raglan, writing from the Crimea, tersely 

 expressed it, "swept away like flies."* But if it be a question of training the young- 

 soldier for his duties by pi'eliminary drill and instruction in garrison, there are many 

 reasons why the age of eighteen years should be preferred. At tliat age, the character 

 is more easily molded to the virtues of obedience, cleanliness, temperance, and submis- 

 sion to disci[)line than later in life, when pernicious habits are more likely to have 

 been acquired." The fatigue produced by long marches, under a lieavy equipment, 

 which is so injurious to the young infantry-soldier, would not be incinred in garrison- 

 duty. There is no doubt, also, that the younger recruit is more likely to become a 

 good horseman ; early ti'ainifig being essential for that capacity."* Although this last 



' Mem. (le I'.icad. imj>. de med., t. xxxis, p. 293, 1869. 



' Bull, de I' Acad, de m6d., t. xxxii, p. 403, 186C. 



»/6i(J., p. 551. 



■* Gazette medicate de Paris, t. xxvii, p. 311, 1872. 



^ Gazette hebdom. de med. ct de chii:, t. ix, pp. 19-21, 1872. 



^Slatistiqiie medieo-eliiniyij. de la campagiic d' Italic en 18.59-GO, t. ii, p. 921. 



' Bull, de r.lcml. de med., t. xxxii, p. 407, 18C6. 



''Letter to the Diike of Newcastle. The dulce had advised the com iiKiQder-iu chief that a re-eiiforcement of 3,000 

 uew recruits was ready for shipment. Lord Raj;laii, in very positive terms, desirtd that they niii;ht not l)c sent, if they 

 xvereboijK, like precediiiy levies, as he wonkl rather be without tbem. 



^ The Due d'Aumale recounts an incident which exeuiidifies the excellent behavior of young conscripts under sore 

 trial. During the severe winter of 1794-5, the army of the Rhine, consisting mostly of new levies, lay before Mayence, 

 and the men were reduced to the dii'est necessities, both for food and clothing. They stole bread, but bread only. When 

 seed-time came, they watched the peasants sowing by day, and at night they dug up the seed-wheat from the furnuvH 

 with their bayonets. Nothing else was taken. Lea institutions militaires de la Fro«ce, par M. le Due d'Aumali;, p. (IT, 

 Bruselles, 18G7. , 



'"•'The duties of dragoons, though constant, are very rarely severe ; the enii>loynient is continuous, but not dis- 

 tressing or enervating. As youths, they can be molded to their work, taught to ride, to groom, acquire i)OsitioD, and 

 hold themselves erect. Full-grown men do not usually make such good hor.semeu. I have obtained the verbal opinion 

 of many oUl cavalry-oHicers, and feol I am pronouncing the conviction of the majority when stating that commanding 

 ollicers of dragoons much prefer promising lads of eighteen joining their regiments than men exceeding twenty." lic- 

 viarks on the esaminatiiin of recruits, etc., by H. H. Massy, p. 13, London, 1854, 



