The rigid physical examinations of many of the armies would debar thousands from becoming regular soldiers.

There were men in the Boer forces who had only one arm, some with only one leg, others with only one eye; some were almost totally blind, while others would have felt happy if they could have heard the reports of their rifles.

Men who were suffering from various kinds of illnesses, and who should have been in a physician's care, were to be seen in every laager.

Men who wore spectacles were numerous, while those who suffered from diseases which debar a man from a regular army were without number.

The high percentage of men unfit for military duty was not due to the Boer's unhealthfulness, for he is as healthy as farmers are in other parts of the earth.