The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-07-17
MANY BOYS FAIL
IN PHYSICAL TEST
CANDIDATES FOR WEST POINT
AND ANNAPOLIS TURNED
DOWN By EXAMINERS.
MIGHT SAVE DISAPPOINTMENT
Easy for Candidate to Learn Definitely
Before Leaving Home Whether He is
Up to Physical Requirements for
Entrance to Academies.
BY EDWARD q. CLARK.

Washington. - Recently scores Of
American boys have been passing
through Washington on their way to
Annapolis, there TO take their physical
examinations for entrance TO the naval
academy. A considerable percentage
Of these boys has passed back through
Washington en- route home terribly
disappointed and chagrined because
the doctors told them that they we're
not physically able TO meet the en-
trance examinations.
What Is true with regard TO Annapo-
lis Is also true with regard to the mill
tary academy at West Point. Boys
who have passed the mental examina-
lions at places remote from both the
academies are sent to Annapolis or
West Point to take their physical ex-
aminations. although IL is believed that
I'm some cases physical examinations
Tor West Point are conducted nearer
the lads homes.
Both the naval and military acade-
mics today have large classes Of stu
dents. Hundreds Of boys enter each
year. and II Is considered to be a wise
and a kindly thing to avert, so far as
possible. the disappointments with
which so many Of the boys must meet.
When an appointee TO the naval
academy has passed his mental examl-
nation nothing remains except the in
quiry as TO his physical condition. As
things are now seemingly all the boys
who have stood the mental test must
90 TO Annapolis to take the physical
test. II Is long jouruey for the ma
jority of the boys, and while the gov
eminent pays their car fare to An
napolls and return to their homes. the
sight seeing which the boys who fail
on their examination get is in no way
a compensation for the bitter dlsap-
pointment which they meet.
Might Save disappointment.
There is no reason why every boy
should not learn before his departure
from his home and learn definitely
whether or not he is going to be able
to meet the rigid physical tests which
are applied by the board of medical
examiners at the school on the Chesa-
peake. The authorities furnish the
candidates long In advance of their
examinations complete list Of the
tests which they must undergo and
the requirements which they must
meet. There is no reason apparently
why these lads should not be able def
nitely to inform themselves concern
ing their physical condition, and there
by avert the trouble that is certain to
be In store for them IL they do not
come up to the standards set forth in
the paper of instructions and expla-
nations with which they are supplied.
II is absolutely sOrrowful TO see
some of these lads who have come
appointment in Nheir hearts and with
chagrin on their faces. They had
passed their mental examinations and
presumably they thought that they
could meet the physical requirements,
but in large measure II was their
own fault that disappointment came TO
them. because any conscientious local
physician could have told each lad In
advance whether or not he was able TO
pass the Annapolis medical ordeal.
Perfect eyesight is an absolute es-
sential for entrance TO the naval acad-
envy. The requirements are not quite
so strict In the matter of eyesight for
entrance TO West Point. Any boy
knows, or can find out readily at
home. whether or not he has anything
the matter with his eyes. An astig-
matism will throw him out. The rea-
eyesight at sea is an absolute essen
tiai, not only for the sake OF the ship
and crew. but for the preliminary
purposes Of battle engagement !
Hope to Get BY.
II Is true, however, that boys who |
know that they have eyesight defects
have sort Of an idea that in some [
way they can pass the board Of
medical examiners. This thought In
not much OF tribute 10 the skill OF I
naval surgeons in detecting eyesight |
troubles.
Any oculist of standing can tell a
boy whether or not his eyes are all |
right. A local doctor can tell boy !
whether his lungs, his heart his kid |
neys. and his joints are all right. Boys |
with hopelessly fiat feet and with
tendency TO tuberculosis frequently re
port TO the navy and military acade-
mics for admission after having passed |
their mental tests. They can avert
sorrow for themselves and for their
parents and friends by the easy course
OF learning definitely In advance
whether they are all right or not. Any
boy can jump on the scales and find
out n he is below weight for admis-
sion. This Is one matter In which he
can decide for himself. and yet within
a few days many upderweight boys
have been refused admission 10 the
naval academy. They went 10 An
napolis with the definite knowledge
that they were many pounds under the
weight which the instructions had told
them was absolutely necessary for ad-