The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-04-22

ihaeiotlS-iH view OF the Results Al
ready Achieved He Would Extend
Examinations to Officers Reserve
Insurance Officials and Statisticians
Pledge Hearty Cooperation.
Army surgeons are hopeful that a
very appreciable prolongation OF
life among regular army officers will
result from steps now being taken as
a result of the annual physical ex-
animation of the commissioned per-
sonnet. Under special instructions is
sued by Surgeon General Ireland
when the January physical examine
tons began, efforts are being made to
locate definitely any focal infections
(abcessed teeth, diseased tonsils, in
fected sinuses, etc) OF other conditions
which may be responsible for chronic
degenerative changes
THE removal of such underlying
causes" General Ireland says in a
memorandum to Major General Har-
bord, deputy chief of staff, may re-
suit in return to a normal condition
and very appreeiable prolongation OF
life"
Stress Health Preservation.
The memorandum points out that
the annual examinations were under
taken fourteen years ago primarily
with view to eliminating those off,
GERS found incapacitated," but that
of recent years the value of the work
coward health preservation had been
stressed. AS a part of this develop
ment "a very thorough Investigation
of the medical records of all COM
missiOned officers of the army is in
contemplation, with the object of de-
tecting correctible abnormal condi-
ttons which might have u bearing on
life expectancy.
Determination of ''tne influence of
the World war on physique" and also
the effect of tropical service in the
army on health will be "a part of this
study, Gen. Ireland adds. and life ex-
pectancy tables for the commissioned
can be prepared on the
data obtained.
Among the results to be antici-
pated,' he continues. ''from the prac-
teal use of the information so OBJ
would be: An actual prolOnga-
ton Of life expectancy for officers OF
the army, correction of many physical
defects, with resulting increase in eff
and demonstration of the fact
that the average age at death among
officers of the army exceeds that in
civil life. Notwithstanding wars. acct
dents and service in the tropics" If
the latter point be demonstrated it
should result in placing army officers
In q preferred class for life insurance
with lower premium rates.
Insurance officials and statisticians
have pledged hearty cooperation in
the work outlined
Physical Survey Work
General Ireland urges that extern
sion of the physical survey work to
he reserve officers corps and to the
civilian military training camps per-
sonnet each year is an Important func-
ion OF the medical corps 1t will lead, |
he says, to PRONUNCIATION throughout |
he nation of the principles concerned |
n disease prevention and health pres
,rvation." Discussing means of carry
ng the work on among civilians who |
uili Ott la iiliitdiJ u elilibS hC |
dds:
''In the case of those having cor
ectible abnormalities the parents will |
,e advised as to the nature of the de- /
ects and the steps necessary for their
From the viewpoint of
disease prevention, vaccination against
mallpox and the typhoid-paratyphoid
evers will be required and thereby
''When the organized reserves are
1ore definitely developed, Gen. Ire
ands memorandum concludes, sit Is
ly opinion that it will be possible to
institute a system of period physical
of the reserve commits
toned personnel which will very ma
erially influence and accelerate the
evelopment of life extension work
! civil communities throughout the
alton. When that is undertaken it
hOuld be stressed that the main pur-
ose is to determine abnormal cOndi-
Ons which are responsible for in
ipient or advanced chronic degenera-
We changes, the correction of which