The New York herald., 1922-03-26
TESTS PROLONG LIFE
OF ARMY OFFICERS
Surgeon-Gen. Ireland Recon-
mends More Rigid AnnuaY
Physical Examinations.
SEEK INFECTION
In View of Results Achieved,
Would Extend Examinations
to Officers Reserve.

WASHINGTON, March 90 (Associated
Press) Army surgeons are hopeful
that very appreciable prolongation
of life" among regular army officers
will result from steps now being taken
as 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 examinations be-
gan. efforts are being made to locate
definitely any focal infections Cab
cessed teeth. diseased tonsils, infected
sinuses, &c.) or other conditions which
may be responsible for chronic degenera-
tive changes"
"The removal of such underlying
causes" Gen. Ireland says in a memo
randum to Major-Gen. Harbord, Deputy
Chief of Staff. may result in return
to normal condition and very appreci-
able prolongation of life
The memorandum points out that the
annual examinations were undertaken
fourteen years ago primarily with
view to eliminating those officers found
incapacitated, - but that OF recent years
the value of the work toward heath
preservation" had been stressed. AS
part of this development. "a very
records of all commissioned officers OF
the army" is in contemplation, with the
object of detecting correctible abnormal
conditions which might have a bearing
on life expectancy.
Determination OF "the influence or
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
personnel can be prepared on the data
obtained.
Among the results to be anticipated"
he continues, from the practical use
of the information so obtained, would
be: An actual proongation of life ex-
pectancy for officers of the army, cor
rection of many physical defects. with
resulting increase in efficiency and dem
cnstration of the fact that the average
age at death among officers of the
army exceeds that in civil life. not
withstanding wars, accidents and service
In the tropics. If the latter point he
demonstrated 1t should result in playing
army officers in a preferred class for
life insurance with lower premium rates
Insurance officials and statisticians
have pledged hearty cooperation in the
work outlined.
Gen. Ireland urges that extension
of the physical survey work to the Re-
serve Officers Corps and to the civilian
military training camps personnel each
year is an important function of the
Medical Corps. 1t will lead, he says. 10
"promulgation Throughout the nation OF
the principles concerned in disease pre-
vention and health preservation" Dis
cussing means of carrying the work on
among civilians who turn out for mill
tary training he adds:
'In the case of those having correct
ible abnormalities the parents will be
advised as to the nature Of the defects
and the steps necessary for their correc-
tion. From the viewpoint of disease
prevention. vaccination against smallpox
and the typhoid-paratyphoid fevers will
be required and thereby popularized."
when the organized reserves are more
definitely developed" Gen. Ireland's
memorandum concludes, 'it IL my opin-
ion that 1t will be possible to institute
system of period physical examinations
Of the reserve commissioned personnel
which will very materially influence and
accelerate the development of life ex-
tension work in civil communities
throughout the nation. When that is
undertaken 1t should be stressed that
the main purpose Is to determine aonor-
NAL conditions which are responsible for
incipient or advanced chronic degenera-
tive changes, tho correction OF which VIII
tend to prolong life"