[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR]
Sm,—In the last two issues of The Spectator there have been letters from your correspondents casting some doubts on the results of the medical examinations of the militiamen—in so far as they have been conducted up to date. Perhaps I may be allowed briefly to give the experiences of the Board with which I am connected and the results obtained so far. The Boards have a twofold duty—(j) to the State, (2) to the individual recruit.
As regards (i), naturally the State wishes to have as big a percentage of fit (Grade I) men as possible, but it is not in the interest of the State to have partially fit men passed as Grade I, with the possibility that, after the course of training, the recruit may claim compensation from the State owing to a breakdown in health or the development of some complaint alleged to be caused by the training.
As regards (2), it is not fair to the individual to grade him I and subject him to what will probably be a fairly intensive physical strain when he is not really fit for such.
It is not the object of the Medical Board to show as high r percentage of Grade I boys as possible. The function of the Board is to safeguard both the interests of the parties con- cerned and to endeavour to hold an even balance between them.
Naturally, there must be some slight divergence in the stan- dard of fitness between the various boards functioning throughout the country.
To minimise this, definite and clear instructions are laid down to guide the members of the Board in coming to a decision as to what grade a youth is to be placed in.
In the Board with which I am connected the average per- centage of Grade I works out at about 78 per cent—based on about 750 recruits examined. This figure is somewhat lower than the average for the country as published in the Press.
Personally, I impressed on the members of the Board to be rather on the strict side, and not to pass any recruit as Grade I unless he were really fit in all essential matters.
I have been impressed by the general keenness of the recruits, many of whom have told me they were looking forward to the course of training.
In two cases where recruits had to be placed in Grade III inquiries were subsequently made by the boys as to the reason, and with a request to be told what should be done to improve their condition so that they might undergo the training.
Many candidates seem to appreciate the fact that they are having a very thorough medical overhaul (free gratis). Each recruit passes through the hands of five medical men, and it is very unlikely that any real defect will escape observation.
In conclusion, I may state that my Board has not as yet come across a single case of malingering or attempt to evade the proposed course of training, nor have we seen a single case of venereal disease. Both these factors are a matter for satisfaction. With regard to the latter point, I have my own ideas as to the reason, but they are not relevant to the subject- matter of this letter.—I am, Sir, &c.,
CHAIRMAN OF A MEDICAL BOARD.
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