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Medical Examination for National Service and for Life Assurance.
66
Medical Examination for National Service and for Life Assurance. THE instructions to the National Service Medical
Boards have
in other words, the society has to make arrangements which will not come into force until a On the certain number of years have elapsed. other hand, in the examination of recruits it is only the next reasonable period, visualised in months, which has to be considered. In life assurance, as a healthy individual, accidents left aside, is likely to live longer than one who has an organic defect, so in the recruit, a sound man in every particular will make a better soldier than one who is not sound, but the period over which he is expected to stand great physical strain is limited, though continuous. However, the instructions now recommended to the medical boards are similar to those given to examiners for life assurance, and if the regulations given out by the Minister of National Service are properly
now been issued and show indication that much thought and consideration have been devoted to their preparation. They will repay careful study by all members of the medical boards constituted for the purpose of examining recruits. The men will be examined in order to grade them according to their physical and mental fitness. The grades which have been authorised are briefiy as follows: Grade 1 comprises those men who attain the normal standard of health and strength and are capable of enduring physical exertion suitable to their age. Minor defects, such as of the teeth and of eyesight, do not disqualify. In Grade 2 will" be placed those men followed it will probably be found that men who, for various causes (e.g., partial disabilities "), placed in Grade 1 are all " first-class lives" do not reach the standard of Grade 1, but are, from an insurance point of view. The details nevertheless, physically able to do vigorous work. on family history and records of past illnesses Men in Grade 3 will be those who from any cause have to be given in more particularity in the are not suitable to undergo military training as life assurance medical reports, but well-directed fighting men, but will be fit for any of the auxiliary questions by the medical boards to each recruit services connected with the Army, and fit also to should yield practically the same results. The continue within the Army the work in which they medical examination of the recruit is more are already employed or its equivalent. Grade 4 thorough in some ways, in that the physical will include all those who are unfit for development of the man is more closely criticised military service. An epitome has been care- than is that of the applicant for life assurance; fully drawn up suggesting a suitable gradation marked fiat-foot, hammer-toes, or knock-knee would for some common disabilities and diseases. not affect the risk for life assurance, whereas with This should be particularly useful to those the recruit a man with such defect would be placed examiners who have not had much practical in Grade 3. On the other hand, the results of experience with soldiers serving in the ranks. It examination of the urine, on which much stress is is pointed out that these statements are not in- necessarily laid in life assurance, are not so tended to bind chairmen and members of boards strictly interpreted with the recruit, while his to- place a man in the suggested grade, for it is vision tests are more elaborate, being part of the rightly recognised that each case must be decided marked difference in dealing with organic defects. on its merits, but the suggestions will assist, so far One medical example may be given to illustrate as it is possible, in procuring some uniformity in certain of the points raised. A man with a wellthe grading of men throughout the country. We compensated mitral regurgitant murmur is exawould also draw attention to a fact on which we mined as a recruit. Certain exercise tests think sufficient stress has not been laid-namely, are performed to ascertain the amount of his that a man with some disability which would render heart reserve power ; if these prove satisfactory he it doubtful whether he should be placed in Grade 1 may be placed in Grade 2. The same conditions may be able to undertake vigorous employment in may exist in a man who presents himself for life civil life, because he can stop when he wishes in assurance ; but here another important question order to rest; whereas, as a soldier, he has to pro- arises. What will be the condition of the man’s ceed straight on with his comrades, and is unable heart in 15 or 20 years’ time ? The form of to cease from the work in hand. Taking the in- policy, of course, will have to be decided upon, and structions altogether, we are of opinion that they in this way the problem is complicated, but to are fair and sound, and are likely to prevent harddecide as to whether such a man is suitable for immediate military service is more momentous. ships on individuals. The examination of recruits has been frequently The soldier is not a free agent ; he cannot husband compared to examination for life assurance. his resources or bank up his reserves. If this is There are some resemblances and some differences. borne in mind always, the regulations issued by Life assurance ultimately resolves itself into a the Minister of National Service should prove commercial transaction, and the medical examina- equally successful as the medical examination for tion is to protect the societies by preventing un- life assurance. And this is saying a good deal. If desirable risks from being accepted. The éalcula- this procedure had not been found of value it tions are based upon averages, and the tables for would have been discontinued, whereas the various insurance societies seek to obtain the best medical the various forms of assurance are framed accordadvice possible, and the mortality returns demoningly. The main object of’ the medical examination strate the satisfactory results. We believe it will is to assist in the formation of an opinion be so with the new recruiting, boards, for we feel as to whether an applicant for assurance will live sure that the members of those boards will do their long enough to become a profit to the society ; or, utmost both for their country and for the men. "
Medical Examination for National Service and for Life Assurance. THE instructions to the National Service Medical
Boards have
in other words, the society has to make arrangements which will not come into force until a On the certain number of years have elapsed. other hand, in the examination of recruits it is only the next reasonable period, visualised in months, which has to be considered. In life assurance, as a healthy individual, accidents left aside, is likely to live longer than one who has an organic defect, so in the recruit, a sound man in every particular will make a better soldier than one who is not sound, but the period over which he is expected to stand great physical strain is limited, though continuous. However, the instructions now recommended to the medical boards are similar to those given to examiners for life assurance, and if the regulations given out by the Minister of National Service are properly
now been issued and show indication that much thought and consideration have been devoted to their preparation. They will repay careful study by all members of the medical boards constituted for the purpose of examining recruits. The men will be examined in order to grade them according to their physical and mental fitness. The grades which have been authorised are briefiy as follows: Grade 1 comprises those men who attain the normal standard of health and strength and are capable of enduring physical exertion suitable to their age. Minor defects, such as of the teeth and of eyesight, do not disqualify. In Grade 2 will" be placed those men followed it will probably be found that men who, for various causes (e.g., partial disabilities "), placed in Grade 1 are all " first-class lives" do not reach the standard of Grade 1, but are, from an insurance point of view. The details nevertheless, physically able to do vigorous work. on family history and records of past illnesses Men in Grade 3 will be those who from any cause have to be given in more particularity in the are not suitable to undergo military training as life assurance medical reports, but well-directed fighting men, but will be fit for any of the auxiliary questions by the medical boards to each recruit services connected with the Army, and fit also to should yield practically the same results. The continue within the Army the work in which they medical examination of the recruit is more are already employed or its equivalent. Grade 4 thorough in some ways, in that the physical will include all those who are unfit for development of the man is more closely criticised military service. An epitome has been care- than is that of the applicant for life assurance; fully drawn up suggesting a suitable gradation marked fiat-foot, hammer-toes, or knock-knee would for some common disabilities and diseases. not affect the risk for life assurance, whereas with This should be particularly useful to those the recruit a man with such defect would be placed examiners who have not had much practical in Grade 3. On the other hand, the results of experience with soldiers serving in the ranks. It examination of the urine, on which much stress is is pointed out that these statements are not in- necessarily laid in life assurance, are not so tended to bind chairmen and members of boards strictly interpreted with the recruit, while his to- place a man in the suggested grade, for it is vision tests are more elaborate, being part of the rightly recognised that each case must be decided marked difference in dealing with organic defects. on its merits, but the suggestions will assist, so far One medical example may be given to illustrate as it is possible, in procuring some uniformity in certain of the points raised. A man with a wellthe grading of men throughout the country. We compensated mitral regurgitant murmur is exawould also draw attention to a fact on which we mined as a recruit. Certain exercise tests think sufficient stress has not been laid-namely, are performed to ascertain the amount of his that a man with some disability which would render heart reserve power ; if these prove satisfactory he it doubtful whether he should be placed in Grade 1 may be placed in Grade 2. The same conditions may be able to undertake vigorous employment in may exist in a man who presents himself for life civil life, because he can stop when he wishes in assurance ; but here another important question order to rest; whereas, as a soldier, he has to pro- arises. What will be the condition of the man’s ceed straight on with his comrades, and is unable heart in 15 or 20 years’ time ? The form of to cease from the work in hand. Taking the in- policy, of course, will have to be decided upon, and structions altogether, we are of opinion that they in this way the problem is complicated, but to are fair and sound, and are likely to prevent harddecide as to whether such a man is suitable for immediate military service is more momentous. ships on individuals. The examination of recruits has been frequently The soldier is not a free agent ; he cannot husband compared to examination for life assurance. his resources or bank up his reserves. If this is There are some resemblances and some differences. borne in mind always, the regulations issued by Life assurance ultimately resolves itself into a the Minister of National Service should prove commercial transaction, and the medical examina- equally successful as the medical examination for tion is to protect the societies by preventing un- life assurance. And this is saying a good deal. If desirable risks from being accepted. The éalcula- this procedure had not been found of value it tions are based upon averages, and the tables for would have been discontinued, whereas the various insurance societies seek to obtain the best medical the various forms of assurance are framed accordadvice possible, and the mortality returns demoningly. The main object of’ the medical examination strate the satisfactory results. We believe it will is to assist in the formation of an opinion be so with the new recruiting, boards, for we feel as to whether an applicant for assurance will live sure that the members of those boards will do their long enough to become a profit to the society ; or, utmost both for their country and for the men. "