The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-04-23
MILITARY REFORM.
Surgeon General MeGill Rec
ommends Higher Physical
Examination.

Surgeon-Genera John D. McGill. in
his annual report. devotes considerable
space to 1.-The physical examination of
recruits" In discussing his most i'm
portant matter. General McGill comes
out for a high physical standard in the
National Guard n places himself on
record as opposing the enlistment of any
but sound. healthy men. He advises the
State Military Board to take prompt ac-
ton in the matter and no doubt his sug
g~estions will be carried out as far as
possible.
1t cannot be denied that there are in
the State companies unfit for active
duty and while the officers who offici-
ated at the muster cannot be blamed,
still the heads of the department are at
fault, they failing to. establish a stand
ard. In referring to the enlistment of
mere boys" Surgeon-General McGill. no
doubt. refers to cadet companies that
lave been mustered into service. The
Fourth Regiment has not escaped this
difficulty. and yet the officers were I'M
able to prevent it. When the r~eorganiza-
ton of the regiment took place, a cadet
organization composed chiefly of what
the Surgeon-General terms boys was
So tAtS FASSb oAo N"O
years have passed since that time the
company can be easily distinguished to-
day from the other commands by the
youthful appearance of those in the
ranks. The ages of the members of this
command and the members of the others
has caused the latter to dub the COM
mand thu kindergarten" and by this
name it is most familiarly known.
Tn bic ranart C11rCaop-Gannra MoGi11
says
THE SURGEONS TEXT.
"The efficiency of a military establish
ment depends to a great extent upon the
physical, intellectual and moral condition
of the men who compose it. Hence in the
selection of material for membership the
physical. intellectual and moral condition
of a recruit ought to be the text for the
Surgeons examination. The competency
OF a soldier for military service can only
be determined by a rigid physical ex-
animation. The wear and tear of bodily
tissues TO a soldier in active service is
very great. He is required TO make
iong marches and endure ~prIvations and
fscomIorL which requlre an able body
20 Withstand. Inc heavy uniform and
Accoutrenlenrs winch he is required to
wear and carry. will average nifty to
siXty-five pounaS. The art OF marching
and the strength OF a soldiers legs, so
necessary to rapidity of combination and
movement, are the best indications OF
more victories than superior armament
or personal prowess on The field.
UNIFORM SYSTEM NEEDED.
when 1t is considered that the oS-
seous system of a man is not complete
| until after thirty years OF age, and that
! upon the strength of this system, which
SO much depends. it is unfortunate that
mere boys are allowed to be enlisted in
our National Guards. 1t is true that
| arduous military service is seldom re-
consequence, the same necessity does
not exist for a more mature age of
enlistment. as prevails in the case Of
the State Military Board to recommend
{ to the Commander-in-Chief. for his con-
| sideration and approval. a uniform sys-
use of blank form. similar to that adopt
ed and used by the National Guard of
he State of New York. Every person
] tionaI Guard. ought to be compelled to
undergo a rigid physical examination
conducted by q medical officer. A com
| plete revolution in our methods of en-
iistment is necessary if we are to have
soldiers worthy of the name.
Some of the commands in the State
service require some sort of a physical
examination before a man is enlisted; but
he examination is not a thorough one
Generally a mere form. The majority
| Of ORGANIZATIONS 90 not require any pnySl-
| al examination whatever.
INCAPACITATED GUARDSMEN.
1.-THE Inspector-General of Rife Prac-
ice tells me that frequently much trouble
S experienced with guardsrnen of i'm
perfect physique at the rifle range, their
defective vision disqualiies them for
n1arksmen and the .skirnish rum dis
cioses heart disorders that prevent a To-
emotion faster than a walk. I sin
erely hope that the State Military Board
yill give this vitality important subject
Of physical examination its earnest at
tention and without further delay recon
mend a competent system to the Governor
| men are not to be able-bodied soldiers,
| capable OF giving the State effective mil
itary service when called into the field;
! humanity, decked out in gaudy uniforms
FOR street display. their support by the
state is an imposition on the tax pay
ers."