[excerpt]
MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF MEN FOR MILITARY SERVICE AND FRAUDS TO BE GUARDED AGAINST.
The medical examinations of men for the military service were made in a large, well-lighted room, where they could be exercised briskly, and with the windows so arranged that the light fell equally upon every portion of it.
Upon entering the room the recruit, substitute, or drafted man was directed to divest himself of all his clothing. This was usually done in the presence of the surgeon, for this reason, that he was not then expecting to be noticed, and should he feel disposed to conceal any existing defects, as stiff joints, &c., he would in this way be thrown off his guard, and the attempted fraud at once detected without further examination.
He was first questioned in regard to his name, age, nativity, occupation, his general health and that of his family, whether any hereditary taints existed, and if he had ever suffered from any disease or accident, and if so, what; thus endeavoring to obtain all the information possible concerning him and at the same time enable the surgeon to judge of his mental as well as his physical qualifications.
He was then placed under a stationary measuring rod, directed to stand erect while his height was accurately noted, and a graduated tape was passed around the chest over the inferior angles of the scapula and directly over the nipple, and the measurement taken both at inspiration and expiration. After this the color of the eyes, hair, and the complexion were noted, and a general inspection of the whole body was now made, noticing the muscular development and general appearance, at the same time looking carefully for any tumors, ulcers, varicose veins or chronic swellings of the extremities, or any defect that could disqualify him for the service.
The head was then examined for any depressions or irregularities that might exist; the eyes, eyelids, ears, nose, teeth, palate, and fauces carefully noticed.
The chest was then inspected; respiration and the action of the heart observed, and anything that could be discovered by inspection, auscultation, or percussion noted.
He was next directed to stand erect, place his heels together, and raise his hands vertically above his head, the backs together, and was told to cough and make other expulsive movements, while the abdomen, inguinal rings, and scrotum were examined for hernia; the penis was then examined for epispadia, hypospadia, and venereal disease; the groin for glandular enlargements, and the testicles for atrophy, induration, or other diseases.
He was then directed to bend over, the fingers touching the floor, the legs straight and widely distended, and separating the nates, the fissure, for hemorrhoids, fistula, prolapsus, or any disease of the anus, was carefully inspected; and while in this position firm pressure was made on different portions of the spine to discover any disease or tenderness, if such existed.
Next he was directed to extend his arms straight from the body and then bring them together on the same level, behind and in front, pro-hate and supinate them rapidly, strike out from the shoulder, flex the arm upon the shoulder, and the forearm upon the arm, and open and close the fingers rapidly. In this way almost any defect of the upper extremities were discovered.
He was then told to walk rapidly, and then to run around the room several times, hop first on one foot and then on the other, with his heels together to raise himself upon his toes, then flex and extend the thigh, leg, and ankle, kick first with one foot and then the other, and make several leaps in the air. While thus excited he was again examined for chest diseases and also for hernia.
The eyesight was next tested by placing him at one end of the room while the surgeon stood at the other, and asking him the number or color of objects displayed to each eye separately. The hearing was also tested at the same time by modulating the tones of the voice while conversing with him, and covering one car while endeavoring to discover any defects that might exist in the other.
The medical exam I under went in 1969 for induction into the army wasn't this extensive. Basically if you had ten toes and ten fingers you were drafted (my opinion).