The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1918-09-26
REGISTRANTS TO RECEIVE
.ealth Instructions Through
Draft Board
Health


tions prepared by the United
States Public Health Service for
registrants declined in the draft
because of physical disability. The
circular is the result of a recon-
mendation made to General Crow
der by Surgeon Rupert Blue of
the U. S. Public Health Service.
The Surgeon General points out
that in the first draft about one
tn ird of the men examined were
rejected for physical disabilities
and that hundreds of thousands
will be added as a result of the ex-
aminations to be made of the new
registrants.
cit is highly desirable" said
Surgeon General Blue, 'that the
men found to be disqualified for
military service by the examining
physicians Of the local draft
boards, should receive definite in
structions as to the meaning of
their disabilities and that a strong
appeal be made to them to correct
these disabilities as far as possi-
Bile. But the object of this meas
ure is not only to reclaim men for
military service or for such SER
vice as they may perform, but to
lessen the burden of illness and
disability among those engaged in
essential industrial work. 1t is
hoped that the instruction in this
circular, which is really a primer
of the physical defects of the ma
ton, will reach far beyond the
draft board and be utilized by all
agencies interested in improving
the public health to instruct the
people with regard to their ply
sical deficiencies and the ways and
means by which they can be reme-
died. F."
According to the U. S. Public
Health Service, experience every
where shows that the proportion
of persons with physical impair
ments is considerably greater in
persons between 30 and 40 than
those between 20 and 30 years of
age. This waning vitality at ages
over 30, so commonly accepted as
inevitable can be postponed to
large extent. In this connection,
it is pointed out that 60 per cent
of the physical defects found in
the last draft were sure of a pre-
or durable nature.
In addition to furnishing all the
local draft boards throughout the
country with a sufficient number
Of the circulars to supply one to
each registrant rejected because
Of physical disability, arrange
ments have been made to furnish !
specimens of the circular to life
companies, fraternal
labor unions, en-
Dloyers of labor and others who
desire to reprint the circular in
is present official form for wider
distribution.
The circular issued by the u
). Public Health Service is enti-
led Information for Guidance
md Assistance of Registrants Dis
qualified for Active Military Ser
yice Because of Physical Defects. /"
t is a four-page leaflet, contain
ng specific information relating
o the commoner causes of reiec-
ion ir deferred classification, e.
:. Defective eyesight, teeth and
diseases, feet, underweight, over
weight, hernia, hemorrhoids, vari-
ocele, varicose veins, bladder,
,idney and urinary disorders, ear
rouble, heart affections, high
Hood pressure, lung trouble, rheu-
venereal disease, alcohol,
lervous and mental disease, and
miscellaneous conditions. The in
ormation is presented in simple
orm and has beeen approved by
he highest medical authorities.
1t the end is striking quotation
rom President Wilson; 'It is not
n army we must shape and train
or war; it is a nation" This is
y 4