The existence of certain diseases may be claimed as a bar to active service, both in a civil and in a military capacity; and the opinion of a medical man may be required as to the fitness or unfitness of the individual for the service from which he claims exemption. In giving certificates of this nature, the medical practitioner cannot be too guarded in wording them; and each case must be treated on its merits, so that strict justice may be done.
Among the diseases which may incapacitate a man for active employment may be mentioned—syphilis; hernia; phthisis; affections of the eyes, attended with dimness of vision, or colour blindness; varicose veins; and some other diseases.
WILLS
Although a medical man, as a rule, should refuse to draw up a will, still there are occasions when his doing so may save much litigation and expense. The following directions may therefore be of use:
1. Let the wishes of the testator be expressed in the plainest and simplest words, avoiding all expressions that seem to admit of another meaning than the one intended.
2. All alterations in the will should be initialled.
3. Do not scratch out a word with a knife, and no alteration must be made after the will is executed.
4. Two witnesses are necessary, who must both be present and sign the following attestation at the end of the will, or on each sheet if more than one sheet of paper be used: “Signed by the testator (or testatrix, as the case may be) in the joint presence of us, who thereupon signed our names in his (or her) and each other‘s presence.”
5. Add address of witnesses.
6. A clause appointing an executor should be inserted thus: “And I appoint J. B. executor of this my will.”