New-York tribune., 1911-03-05
COOP LOOKS IN THE ARMY
BY J. E. JENKS

concerned with the institution will not
recognize, by any such designation, that
branch OF the War Department which is en-
gagged IN the task OF obtaining enlisted men.
While the new rules for the examination
of recruits that have luSt been adopted
lend themselves to the flippant purposes of
those loosely inclined and contain what
appear TO be in some respects curious re-
QuiTementS, there is every reason why the
army should be made up of fine looking
young men of good physique. Much de
pcnds on the bearing of an enlisted man to
give "smartneSs to his command. Soldier
lv appearance comes OF good looks, well
nodded form, with avoidance Of facial
blemiShes, lack OF stature, and a number
OF other characteristics that cannot be
ClasSed as detormities which are readily
recognized as diSquaifying factors. For
this reason some carefully prepared rules
have been adopted, covering more than two
hundred aspects of the situation.
OF course. there are what may be called
chief characteristics, which determine reason
able alertnesS of vision and hearing and re-
qulre certain dimensions in height, weight,
and chest measurements. There is, for in
stance, a list of exercises through which the
applicant for enlistment is put by the re
Cruiting officer 10 determine the facility Of
action of various Joints and muscles of the
body. Then, there is a close physical ex-
animation 70 detect defornities and other
defects, with special reference to such fea-
lures of the ears, inability to pucker the
mouth in whistling ian indication of facial
paralysis, the detection of the chicken
breasted, the avoidance OF obesity (Which is a
cause for rejection when so marked as TO
interfere with marching and other military
duties). and the identification of knock
knees and bow legs.
Care must be taken in examination OF the
vision 20 see that the applicant has not COM
mitted to memory any Of the standard
cards used for testing eyesight. 1t has re-
Gently been found that this is a practice
among those anxious to pass the eXamina-
ton, who ind 1t worth while TO supply, by a
feat Of memory. that of which they are in
capable by defective vision. 4 new device.
described as an unlearnable vision card,
has recently been adopted so as TO make this
impOssible but care must be taken TO see
that the person under test is really being
tested and Is not giving an exhibition OF bis
retentive mind
There Is special examination OF the feet or
the would be recruit, since in the case OF
most soldiers, and notably in those Of the
infantry the ability TO march depends vital
lv upon the absence OF such defects as fiat
feet corns, detormed toes, and buniOns.
The army has within the last year or two
adopted a shoe. the form of which was de
vised along scientific lines after careful de-
termination Of what has been termed a
military foot. The strength OF the foot in
the case of q recruit is tested by requiring
him 20 walk on his toes, the soles Of the feet
being nearly vertical with the floor and TO
hop on the toes Of each foot. He must be
able % rise on the tiptOes strongly. 10 hop
well. and 70 aligh; on the toes after springing
from the ground.
one Of the most difficult parts Cf the ex-
animation Is that which aims % detect men
tai and nervous disorders, and the rules in
clule many methods by which these causes
for rejection may be ascertained. Among
other things against which the authorities
exercise vigilance are somnambulism. stam-
uering. cravings leading 70 alcoholism. and
/ drug habits.
In the personal appearance, the body IS
taken up IN detail IN these regulations, and
no deformity is overlooked. As an example
ot the thoroughness OF the system Of eXami-
nation. II would be sufficient 20 quote Para
graph l0l: Extreme ugliness, either as a