F. F. F. F.—2000 A.d

During World War I there was much lamentation over the "defects of the draft," and the word "shocking" was in frequent use with reference to the condition of a large proportion of men of military age. When, more recently, it became necessary again for society to interpose a shield of human lives between itself and disaster, its cerebral cells once more became agitated over the report that its young people were not all fit to carry a rifle. The emotional disturbances caused by the "revelations" of the draft seem to be superficial and transient and the condition of youth between wars of little disquieting moment to the elders of the tribe. But to their possessors, physical and mental shortcomings, on any day, in any year, are a hindrance at any age to the full enjoyment of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Will a national appraisal a quarter of a century hence again be disheartening, and what of the year 2000? Granted that we should really become concerned over the matter, what can be done about it? Are we growing worse, or can we improve? The examination of men for military purposes began with the Napoleonic wars, but the results of such appraisals at different periods are not readily comparable. The standards set up have been different, and these have even undergone decided modification within the period of one war. The methods of examination have changed from time to time according to advances in medical knowledge. However, some comparisons of what information we have are of interest. Among the conditions which rendered the young man unfit for Napoleon's army were: "1. Total loss of sight. 2. Loss of nose. 3. Dumbness; permanent loss of voice and complete deafness. 4. Voluminous and incurable goiter, habitually interfering with breathing. 5. Scrofulous ulcers. 6. Confirmed tuberculosis of the lungs in the 2d and 3d degrees (for hemorrhage there should be only provisional exemption). 7. Total loss of motion of arm, leg, foot, or hand. 8. Curvatures of the long bones from rickets or nodosities sufficient to impede, evidently, the motions of the limbs."6 In the present century no examiner would, of course, pass a candidate with any of the above conditions, but we may infer that in