The Washington herald., 1916-11-14
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Best Service Column In CITY.

A cavalry drill at Fort Myer for the
benefit of the Army Relief Society viii
take place on Saturday afternoon at 2:3(
O'Clock. This will be the first drill Of
the season. 1t was arranged by Col Fen
ton upon the request of officers of the
society. Following the drill will be a tea
dance. Mrs. Hugh Scott is looking for
workers to serve on the various commit
tees Of the society.
The committee in charge of tickets Is
composed Of Mrs Downey, Mrs. Owen,
Mrs. Reiss and Mrs. Borden. The COM
mittee in charge of refreshments and
decorations is composed of Mrs Hamil-
ton, Mrs. French, Mrs. Glasgow, Mrs.
Hafght. Mrs. Miller. Mrs. Kingman, Mrs.
Cunningham, Mrs. Hunter Scott. Mrs.
buchanan. Mrs Strong, Mrs. Fenton. Mrs.
Devol and Mrs. Gilman.
Eighteen vacancies In the grade of chap
lain in the army remain to be filed.
MOST OF these were caused by the first
increment OF the army increase occurring
on July l. As many more vacancies will
exist on July /. 1917. Action soon will be
taken by the War Department to make
the necessary appointments.
officials of the army and navy are in
terestcd in the attention being given by
"
the heart of recruits
"One of the most difficult problems in
connection with the examination of re-
cruits." says a British service paper, "is
the exact estimation of the condition OF
the heart. II the heart Is OF the normal
size, the sounds clear and the rhythm
regular, a satisfactory examination can
be arrived at promptly. but IL a murmur
Is heard or there is irregularity of the
hna fhny, .lyFll
quired in order to distinguish between
functional and organic conditions. The
main point is to estimate, il possible, the
amount of cardiac reserve power. but this
Is not the only matter for consideration,
and, quite rightly, cases in which doubt
arises are now referred to experts for
opinion.
"All recruits are seen in the firlt in
stance by a recruiting medical board
and those whose hearts are manifestly
defective, as shown by the ordinary
methods of clinical examination are re-
jected or placed in the categories for
which they are suitable. while those with
obviously healthy hearts are passed.
1T is only when realsdoubt arises as
to whether a recruits heart is defective
or how far an observed defect is likely
to impair efficiency for military purposes
that the man is sent to the heart hos
pltdi ana buOJecte0 10 q searching ex-
animation with the aid of instrumental
appliances. which could not possibly be
available for employment by the recruit
ing boards without the assistance OF
some such institution"
Bids will be opened by the Navy De-
partment on January 3 for a new type
of vessel to be used as a munition ship.
Plans and specifications have been COM
pleted.
There was a delay in completing the
design of the vessel because it was not
included in the original naval building
program. but was an addition made by
the Senate in the list of vessels, the con-
struction OF which was authorized in
the naval appropriation act of August o.
Tho munition ship has no new military
characteristics. 1t is OF about 1000 tons
displacement, with internal construction
designed to carry a cargo which in this
case. Of course. is solely munitions. in
stead Of miscellaneous supplies There
Will be sufficient armament to Provide a
defense against aeroplane and submarine
attack.