Social Medicine Studies based on Civilian Medical Board Records: I. National Service Rejects

Abstract

By the regular publication of statistics based on Census data and death certificates the General Register Office has kept the United Kingdom so well informed that even the man in the street is aware when mortality changes of a disquieting or reassuring nature have occurred. But nowadays, when disease more often causes loss of working efficiency than premature death, a more sensitive instrument than mortality statistics is needed to measure the public health. Since there is no immediate possibility of supplementing the national register of deaths with one of disabilities, it is' relevant to ask whether the optimum use is being made of the records of routine health examinations, in particular those of Civilian Medical Boards.