lenient than the former, and probably subject to an even larger degree 

 of variation than the indicated range from 0.72 per cent, for Camp 

 Riley to 11.87 per cent, for Camp Deven. The table following has 

 been rearranged so as to show the causes for physical rejection and 

 their percentage distribution in the order of their importance as given 

 in the Provost-Marshal General's report made to the Secretary of War 

 under date of December 20, 1917. 



CAUSES FOR PHYSICAL REJECTION BY CAMP SURGEONS- 

 NATIONAL ARMY EXPERIENCE UNDER FIRST DRAFT OF 

 THE SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT OF 1917 



Causes for Physical Rejection Number Per Cent. 



Eye 2,224 21.68 



Teeth 871 8.50 



Hernia 766 7.47 



Ear . 609 5.94 



Heart Diseases 602 5.87 



Tuberculosis 551 5.37 



Mentally Deficient 465 4.53 



Genito-urinary (Venereal) 438 4.27 



Physical Undevelopment 416 4.06 



Nervous Disorders (General and Local) 387 3.77 



Flatfoot 375 3.65 



Joints 346 3.37 



Bones 304 2.96 



Blood Vessels 191 1.86 



Underweight 163 1.59 



Respiratory 161 1 .56 



Genito-urinary (Non-venereal) 142 1.39 



Skin 118 1.15 



Ill-defined or Not-specified 93 .91 



Digestive System 82 .80 



Alcoholism and Drug Habit 79 .77 



Muscles 66 .64 



Not stated 809 7.89 



Total number of cases of physical rejections con- 

 sidered 10,258 100.00 



NEGATIVE EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL DETERIORATION 

 This table is of exceptional importance. It fails in every way to 

 sustain the conclusion so frequently advanced by sensational writers 

 that the medical examinations under the First Selective Draft have 

 brought to light a truly astonishing amount of physical impairment 

 and military inefficiency on the part of the men of the draft-age period, 

 21 to 30, inclusive. The table shows that 21.68 per cent, of the 

 rejections were for diseases of the eye, followed by a proportion of 

 8.5 per cent, of the rejections for defective teeth. Since defects of 



83 



