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.