was

stage of the competitive examination testing for physical fitness should

the

at which the

be conducted. In effect it was decided that the elimination of the physically unqualified ought to take place before the candidates are subjected to

a

reason

capacity. The weigh with the cruel to subject

trial of their intellectual for this, which seemed to

section,

that it was the pains of a

was

to

youths

tiresome

literarjr

examination and the

disappointment of subseon account of physical inquent rejection, had passed it and perhaps capacity, after they passed it creditably. There is some- sense in this view, but it does not wholly express or meet the hardships of the case, for rejection immediately before examination, does not take into account the wasted time, labour and expense of preparation, or the disappointment and

effect of failure after jTears of expectation, both with a special object.

demoralising

study

and

The real truth is that physical fitness should be, as far as possible, tested and ascertained before

boy commences to study for any particular service in which this is laid down as a necessary qualification. The State cannot be expected to perform a service of this kind for the multia

tude of

youths scattered throughout the Empire who may contemplate preparing themselves for State employment, nor could it be reasonably held to abide by the results of such early examination, so that a further testing immediately before or after the examination would still be

THE PHYSICAL

REQUIREMENTS

OF THE

PUBLIC SERVICES.

An

important

discussion took

Section of Medicine

at

the

place

meeting

in the of the

British Medical Association at Portsmouth on the medical tests for admission to the Public

Services.

The time and place were well suited ventilating questions which concern the efficiency of the services, the anxieties of parents and guardians and the interests of so many youths. The particular subjects of attention were? (1) propriety of existing standards of physical fitness; (2) the methods by which examinations for physical fitness are at present conducted; (3) the uniformity and fairness of such examinations; and (4) the time when they ought to be held, whether before or after the literary examination. On these points a considerable variety of opinions were offered, and the only subject on which the section appeared to be unanimous for

necessary. It is the civil practitioner or the retired army or navy surgeon who should be entrusted with this duty; and by a little study of the regulations issued by public departments and boards of with sufficient

it could be fulfilled indicate whether a boy

examination, success to

should undertake the task of preparative study or not just as the report of the head master of his school decides, whether he possesses the necessary intellectual capacity and industry for same

end.

Some

public departments,?the Admiralty for example,?pointedly recommend these preliminary medical examinations, and there can be no doubt that they ought invariably to be made; and if this became the practice, specialists would be forthcoming, who would qualify themselves In civil life, physical to give sound advice. if at all enquired into, is considered after selection for employment; but everything depends on the kind of employment and the deoree

fitness,

THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.

416

physical capacity which it demands. In the and Navy, physical capacity must neceshold a high place, and the question has frequently arisen, whether the elemeut of competition should not apply to this as well as to intellectual endowments by assigning marks for physique, endurance, robustness, agility, and so of

Army sarily

forth.

This has hitherto been found

impracti-

cable, and standards have been laid down for the

guidance

of

boards,

unreasonable accused of or

nor

which cannot be

unfair;

applying

eccentricitv.

nor

can

pronounced boards be

these with undue

severity

[Nov.

1899.

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