The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-16

means Of cards prepared under the direction OF shs SUI
sI General Of hs The black spots on the e.ras
ana ana the recruit must DO able 90 count ,a nen
epal anomalies in the rrfraetion Of the eye
and sSs eve ss
MOI 60 be regarded as eanse for the rejection OF
TO prevent him counting spots described
IN 's a." at the distance named The chnrIe
ascertaned by the speetaeies types which will bs
by the surgeon General Of The Army Presbyopa.
Tn'en Is condition due to diminuon ~ the aceonmo.
Of recruit but those in whom Il exists are usually
cruits will be examined TOR color blindness.
COLOR BLINDNESS.
In concluding his report color blindness Sur
geon Woodward says -"As to the question of color
blindness, this is subject which has OF late de-
scrvedly attracted much attention. 1t has been
shown by Holmgren in Sweden. and Jeffres in this
country, that from three to four per cent of adult
males are color blind. ard that in rather more than
half this number the defect of perception total for
either red green. II is clear that those labor
under this def ect unfit to guide railway engine
or direct the helm Of ship where so much depends
prompt ability to distinguish between red and
green lights. 1t is also clear that such persons
UNIT for the signal service of the army, and sm
informed that the Chef Signal Officer has already
issued order forbidding their enlistment in that
branch of service but it is not clear to ex-
if any, this defect incapacitates for the ordinary
duties of an enlisted man or OF line officer OF the
army.
AFTER full consideration of the subject would
recommend for the present that color blindness
should not be regarded constituting cause for
the rejection of a recruit a candidate for appoint
ment to the Military Academy; but that in both
cases it should be made matter OF record in order
that just idea Of the incapacty, if any, re-
sulting from this defect may be ascertained
by experience In the case of recruits l
think all practical purposes would be
attained if the medical officers duty at the three
principal recruiting depots were directed to exani-
inc each accepted recruit tor color blindness. and to
note his descriptive list any defect observed.
Holmgren's method of examination should be
strictly followed and the necessary test woods, with
a brief printed memorandum describing the mode
Of using them, should be used by the Surgeon Gen.
erals Office. AS these test woods are not costly
would recommend that properly selected SETS accom-
panied by descriptive mem orandunl, should be kept
on hand by the Medical Purveyor and issued to any
medical officer who may make requisition for thems
and that to diiuse knowledge OF the subject
throughout the medical staff copy of DIR. Jefries'
book Color Blindness, Its Danger and It's Detec-
ton be issued to each medical officer"
The cards mentioned in the order the size OF
the ordinary playing card. having five spots
them, arranged III the form of the five spots of the
pack, the width of the row of spots being two and
ivesixteenths inches and the length three and one
eighth inches. with one spot in the centre OF the
card
PROMOTION FROM THE RANKS.
The promotion of Corporal Harvey ID. Reed. Com
pany f. Battalion of Engineers to be second lieuten-
ant of the Twenty-ifth infantry. from August IA.
makes the sixth promotion from the ranks under
the act passed last year giving enlisted men the
right to be recommended for examination and pro.
motion in the army.
Captain J. A. Fitzgerald, assistant surgeon United
States Army, died the night of the 18th inst al
Columbia. Pa
The War Department has recalled General Orders
No. 10 of 1879. containing Instructions relative to
purchases and contracts for military supplies and
services and after subjectng the matter contained
therein to careful revision and correction has now
republished it in General Orders No. " for the n-
formation and guidance of all concerned