The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1917-06-29
ELIGIBLES FOR
CONSUMPTION

Many of the men who have regis
tered, some married, the majority fail
ing so far to tie the wounds made by
Cupid are wondering whether they are
liable for service in the army or other
branches of Uncle Sans service.
So far the CONSUMPTION plans are a
dark secret. 1t is difficult to tell just
what exemptions the government will
allow.
Marriage will undoubtedly consti-
tute a bar to all men for the first con-
scripted increment of 100000, that is
of men who have not means enough
to support dependents if they are CALL
ed to the colors.
However, when it comes to physical
fitness the following rules will be GER
tain to constitute a bar.
The applicant in the first place must
be able to carry his rifle and packs, to
kneel, to shoot and in other ways to
perform the movements required of a
soldier in a normal manner A slight
Stiffness of a joint, if it does not in
terfere with his duties, does not dis
qualify.
The man must not be Objectionable
to his tent mates. For this reason skin
diseases, even if harmless are dis
qualifying. Even the simple acne, or
pimples, if severe enough to be posi-
lively disfiguring, may serve as a bar
to enlistment. In the same way, un-
clearly habits which could make a
recruit Objectionable to other soldiers
are considered disqualifying.
The general diseases which disquali-
fy require only brief mention. The
acute diseases, such as acute bron-
chitis, typhoid fever, measles, scarlet
fever, malaria, and many others, may
act only as a temporary bar, the en-
listment being made after recovery.
Indeed, in some cases, if the condi-
ton is mild, and permanent disease
unlikely, for example, a mild influ-
enza, the applicant may be enlisted
and kept in the hospital until he is
cured. OF the chronic diseases, tuber-
c%ulosis, Bright's disease, chronic heart
disease, and chronic veneral diseases
are the most frequent causes of dis
qualification. In such cases the ju-
dicial officer determines the desir-
ability of the applicant by deciding
v1 o%hoy, ~ hsc 1~ivson thu r.0oN,11f will
in the future suffer disability as a
result of existing ailmants, the decis-
ion being reaching after consideration
of the applicants previous life and
training. If an applicant is suffering
from any form of pulmonary tubercu-
: losis or any other form of chronic de-
{ bilitating disease, he is rejected, even
J if he is the most prominent athlete n
9 college and is otherwise in excellent
! physical condition.
: No Chances Taken By Army Surgeon
: Naturally, many of these rejects will
s finally be cured, and will then person
{ ally testify to the efficiency of thu
$ army surgeon and the total ineffici
3 ency of army regulations which re
! ject individuals who later prove to b.
: sound and healthy.
In such cases it should be remem
bered that the surgeon does not certi
= fy that the applicant will positivel.
become disabled if enlisted in tn
army. He merely certifies that, in hi
opinion, the applicant has a condition
which is apt to cause disability unde
conditions incident to service. Re
y cruits must often be rejected for dis
= ease Or disability which under tn
conditions of civil life would be ex
= pected to cause title or no inconven
fence.
. Marked disproportion of weight owe
E E height is not a cause for rejection un
less the applicant is absolutely obese
The requirements have been care
fully worked out, and the minimum re
: quirements are strictly adhered to. !
9 : has been found that out of a humble
Of individuals who were below tn
3 minimum standards a surprisingl,
. large number finally develop som
. form of chronic disease which was no
4 evident on the first examination. L
very exceptional cases, in which tn
surgeon is convinced that the appli
9 cant is otherwise unusually we'll quail
Is fed, special authority for enlistmen
: of candidates slightly under the mini
mum may be secured from the adult
ant general.
The eyes are another stumblin,
block. Circular No. 26, war depart
ment, 1909, requires that the appli
cants for the line of the army and TO
the signal corps shall have the follow
ing vision or better: 2O-4O for tn
right eye and 20-10O for the left eye
providing that no organic disease ex
lists in either eye.
The applicant is tested by ~requirin
him to read black letters of variou
heights at a distance of twenty fee
If he is able to read the line in whic
the letters are three-eighths of a
inch high, he is said to have norma
vision, and this is recorded as 2O-2'
The requirement 2O-4O means that til