Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-05-02
Draft Will Bring
Health Surrey of
Over 1000, 900

0ra1t Dill at least Z,UOU,UUU young Aueu
between the ages of nineteen and
twenty-five will be subjected to rigid
physical examination to determine
their fitness to serve In the army
which the administration plans TO
train to high point of efficiency for
possible service in France.
This will be the most widespread
physical survey of the vitality and
health Of the nation ever made. Dur
ing the civil war many more men were
examined in the course of four years.
but never as many within the time
which will be devoted to the examina-
ton of the young men who are to make
ND the new fighting force of the United
States.
Just what the machinery will be for
the examination of the young men OF
today has not been determined. The
physicians and surgeons of the coun-
try are being organized rapidly by the
general medical board, appointed at
the instance of the Council of National
Defense.
This organization within a short
time will reach into many thousands
Of counties. 1t already has been start
ed In more than 5000. Whenever their
services are required these. men can
be called upon for medical examina-
lions.
There are about 100000 men Of be-
tween nineteen and twenty-five In the
country. 1t is estimated that probably
100000 of these will be exempted for
one cause or another. principally be
cause their services would be equally
or more valuable In present vocations
than at the front. Large numbers also
will be exempted on account Of having
dependent relatives and many because
Of serious physical defects.
Exempted Not Examined.
The medical forces Of the entire ma
ton would not be adequate to examine
carefully all of these men physically.
It would require year or more for the
work. Consequently men in the ex-
empted classes will not be examined.
While this will modify the value Of the
nation wide health survey, the number
to be examined throughout the states
will furnish a fair index as to the rela-
tive physical stamina Of each commu-
nifty.
Eminent physicians and surgeons In
the army, navy, public health service
and those connected with the general
board of the Council Of National De
tense are looking forward to the results
Of the physical examination Of so large
q number of young men. Persons inter-
ested in social welfare are equally in
terested in the project.
It is entirely probable that men will
be passed into the army who have minor
defects who are now consistently re-
deficient will be permitted to get by
Unless he manages to fool the examin-
ing surgeons.
There are two reasons why great care
win he exercised in the examination of
young men for all branches OF the gov
eminent service. The first is to insure
a fighting machine as nearly perfect as
possible. Another Is to guard the pub
&c treasury against another great drive
by pensioners. Uncle Sam is willing to
pay any man pension who incurs dis
ability in the service, but he is DESTROYS
Of reducing the number to minimum,
so far as it is possible to do so by de-
termining the exact physical condition
Of recruits at the time Of enlistment.
The wholesale examination of young
men for military service, together with
the examinations now on for enlistment,
the big increase in enlistments for the
navy and marine corps and for several
classes Of reserves should give the coun-
try valuable survey and throw much
light on the general state of the public
health.
The first Increment Of 10000 for the
saaective draft army IL to be mustered
In just as soon as registration il COM
pleted or not later than Sept. / and
possibly q month earlier.