WAR DEPARTMENT PAMPHLET NO. 8-5 PROCUREMENT OF SPECTACLES FOR MILITARY AND OTHER AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL WAR DEPARTMENT 2 0 JUNE 1944 CONTENTS Paragraph Page Previous directives rescinded. ..,*t. .A 1 1 Authority v*** 2 1 Designation of types of 3 2 Specifications 4 2 Reflection of eyes *..••?; 5 2 Procurement and issue of spectacles, commercial type, at home sta- tions ' 6 3 Elimination of % diopters in prescribing 7 3 New lenses for change of prescription 8 3 Shipment and packing 9 3 Spectacle mailing boxes 10 4 Inquiry when address of individual is unknown 11 4 Classification of spectacles, commercial type, spectacles, gas mask type, and eyeglass, gas mask, Ml 12 4 Certification of “Receiving Report” 13 5 Pertinent data to be typed on Prescription Order Form 14 5 Daily forwarding of forms to optical companies under contract 15 6 Contract information not to be divulged 16 6 Permanent record of prescription for spectacles, commercial type, and eyeglass, gas mask, Ml 17 6 Personnel entitled to eyeglasses 18 Basis of issue of spectacles, commercial type 19 8 Basis of issue of eyeglass, gas mask, Ml 20 9 Tinted and especially shaped lenses 21 11 Lenses other than those supplied under existing contracts 22 11 Frames of spectacles for ordinary wear other than those supplied under existing contracts 23 11 Replacement and repair of spectacles, commercial type 24 12 Replacement and repairs; eyeglass, gas mask, Ml 25 12 Replacement and repairs; spectacle, gas mask type 26 12 Optical repair and replacement units 27 13 Fitting and repair cases for spectacles, commercial type 28 13 Fitting case for eyeglass, gas mask, Ml 29 13 Replacement of used or damaged articles of Item 36275, case, spec- tacle, fitting and repair; Item 93540, case, fitting, eyeglass, gas mask, Ml; and Item 30900, case, trial lens 30 13 Stations within continental limits of United States. 31 14 AGO 32i>__ 1. PREVIOUS DIRECTIVES RESCINDED, a. This pamphlet supersedes War Department Pamphlet No. 8-5, 30 April 1943; Section I, Circular No. 118, War Department 1943; Section II, Circular No. 131, War De- partment 1943; Circular No. 16, War Department 1944; Section IV, Circular No. 55, War Department 1944; and all previous instructions per- taining to the procurement of spectacles for military and other authorized personnel, including instructions issued by The Surgeon General in letters, radiograms, and teletype messages to the commanding generals of the service commands which are in conflict with this pamphlet. b. The need for careful study of this pamphlet cannot be overem- phasized, nor the importance of having this directive brought to the atten- tion of the proper officers of the eye clinics as expeditiously as possible. 2. AUTHORITY. The authority for the procurement and repair of spec- tacles is as follows: a. For United States Army personnel, including Army nurses, members of the Women’s Army Corps, and other militarized female personnel of the Army. (1) The Surgeon General will provide all military personnel with spectacles, when required, and will replace lenses and frames when either or both are damaged or lost in the performance of military duty. (2) The Surgeon General will prepare such instructions as may be neces- sary and make such contracts and incidental arrangements as may be required. (See AR 40-1705.) b. For authorized military' personnel of any country' the defense of which the President deems vital to the defense of the United States, when such authorized personnel are stationed within the forty-eight States and the District of Columbia, and military personnel, w'herever located, of all, co-belligerent countries who cannot reasonably obtain eyeglasses or replace- ment and repair thereof from facilities of their own country. (1) For medical care and treatment of authorized personnel of any country whose defense the President deems vital to the defense of the United States when such care and treatment cannot be obtained from medical units of their own country. (See Military Appropriation Act, 1944, and S. G. O. Circular Letter No. 71, 17 July 1942, as amended by S. G. O. Circular Letter No. 178, 16 December 1942.) c. For internees (prisoners of war and civilian enemy aliens undergoing internment by the War Department). (1) Spectacles will be furnished for internees on the same basis as for United States troops. Cost incident thereto is chargeable to funds allo- cated to The Surgeon General. d. Repair and replacement of eyeglasses for civilian employees of the War Department and Red Cross workers on military missions overseas. (1) Necessary repair and replacement of eyeglasses belonging to civilian employees of the War Department and Red Cross workers on military AGO 32(iB 589101—44 missions overseas will be accomplished by repair and replacement units without cost to the individual. (See AR 40-590.) 3. DESIGNATION OF TYPES OF SPECTACLES. There are two types of spectacles issued by The Surgeon General: spectacles, commercial type (for ordinary wear), and Eyeglasses, Gas Mask, Ml (for use beneath the gas mask). There have previously been issued spectacles, gas mask type, which have been found impracticable for wear beneath the gas mask because of the lack of perfect adjustment of the temple, which created discomfort and prevented gas tightness. Such spectacles which are out- standing, are authorized for use as an auxiliary spectacle for ordinary wear. Hereafter, repairs of the spectacles, gas mask type, will be limited to replacement of lenses only, and in instances where frames of this type spectacle are no longer serviceable, replacement will be made by issuance of spectacles, commercial type, in accordance with the provisions of para- graph 19. (See par. 26.) Hereinafter, the terms “spectacles, commercial type”, “Eyeglass, Gas Mask, Ml”, and “Spectacles, gas mask type” will be used to designate the specific types of eyeglasses. 4. SPECIFICATIONS, a. Spectacles, commercial type, will conform to specifications issued by The Surgeon General, that is, such spectacles which are issued for ordinary wear and are of a standard, commercial, ful-vue design with metal rims and temples. If military or other authorized per- sonnel desire eyeglasses not conforming to the above, such eyeglasses must be purchased by the personnel concerned and Government funds may not be used for either whole or part payment thereof. b. The Eyeglass, Gas Mask, Ml, will conform to specifications issued by The Surgeon General, that is, those presently being furnished by the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company or by any other optical company desig- nated or authorized by The Surgeon General. 5. REFRACTION OF EYES. a. When ocular refraction is necessary and a medical officer is not available, request for authority to employ a civilian physician in the case of military and other authorized personnel on de- tached sendee with or without troops or at stations within the continental limits of the United States will be made to the commanding general of the service command concerned, in accordance with AR 40-505; for personnel on duty in the departments, to the department surgeon; and for personnel on duty in military establishments beyond the continental limits of the United States, to the force surgeon. The request for refraction will be ap- proved in reasonable amount only and will include the adjustment of frames and fitting of spectacles when delivered. Authority for the employment of a civilian physician for refraction will not be granted to military and other authorized personnel who are under orders to report in the near future to a station where Army facilities are available, or who are absent temporarily for short periods from their proper stations where Army facilities arc available. b. For military and other authorized personnel on duty without troops in foreign countries, the following instructions will apply: (1) Prior authority for the refraction of eyes will not be required. Accounts for such services at reasonable rates will be paid locally. (2) Spectacles, commercial type, are authorized for such personnel and should be procured locally at reasonable rates, frames to be of metal and of durable construction with rims and temples, payment for which will be made locally. However, the above applies only if personnel are entitled thereto as provided by paragraph 19. 6. PROCUREMENT AND ISSUE OF SPECTACLES, COMMERCIAL TYPE, AT HOME STATIONS. Commanding officers of posts, camps, and stations are responsible for the procurement and issue of all spectacles, commercial type, at home stations as early as possible in the training period, to per- sonnel entitled to these in accordance with paragraph 19, in order to pre- clude mass requests for ophthalmic examination and procurement of spectacles, commercial type, at personnel replacement depots and staging areas in the event such personnel are ordered for oversea duty. Strict compliance with this paragraph is directed in order to avoid military personnel being delayed at ports of embarkation or proceeding to oversea destinations without the necessary eyeglasses in their possession. 7. ELIMINATION OF Vs DIOPTERS IN PRESCRIBING. Medical officers refracting personnel entitled to eyeglasses will not prescribe lenses in /& diopter variations. 8. NEW LENSES FOR CHANGE OF PRESCRIPTION. Authority is granted to procure new lenses in instances where it is necessary to change the prescription. 9. SHIPMENT AND PACKING, c. In instances where spectacles, com- mercial type, are received by posts, camps, or stations within the continental limits of the United States after the individuals for whom they were intended have been assigned to oversea duty, packing for shipment to APO addresses will be as follows: (1) Each individual pair of spectacles, commercial type, with case, will be inclosed in a spectacle mailing box for shipment, showing on the face thereof, the name, serial number, grade, and APO address of the person for whom it is intended. (2) The individual packages will then be placed in one' large package or box and mailed to the respective APO address. The procedure outlined will eliminate unnecessary work on the part of the Army Postal Service and all shipments will be handled more expeditiously. AGO 326B b. Installations within the zone of the interior should forward spectacles immediately upon their receipt when individuals for whom they are intended have been transferred to other stations. c. In forwarding the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml to oversea installations, or to stations within the zone of the interior, care should be taken to carefully pack the eyeglasses in order to minimize breakages. 10. SPECTACLE MAILING BOXES. Mailing boxes for spectacles, commer- cial type, are stocked at the St. Louis Medical Supply Depot, St. Louis, Missouri, being identified as Item No. 9N071-00, and are to be used as containers for spectacles being mailed to personnal who have departed from their stations. Requisitions for this item will be forwarded to the Office of The Surgeon General, caution being used to requisition such moderate quantities as the demand necessitates. Spectacle mailing boxes will not be purchased from the optical companies under contract. 11. INQUIRY WHEN ADDRESS OF INDIVIDUAL IS UNKNOWN. When spectacles, commercial type, and/or eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, are received after the individual for whom they are intended has been transferred to another station or discharged from the service, and every effort has been made without success to determine the correct address to which the spectacles or eyeglasses should be forwarded, inquiries for the correct address may be made of The Adjutant General, Washington 25, D. C. 12. CLASSIFICATION OF SPECTACLES, COMMERCIAL TYPE, SPEC- TACLES, GAS MASK TYPE, AND EYEGLASS, GAS MASK. a. Spectacles, commercial type, and spectacles, gas mask type, are classified as the individual’s personal effects and will not be taken up on stock record account. The eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, is not classified as the individual’s personal effects, but will not be taken up on stock record account. b. Spectacles, commercial type, will be forwarded to the home address of individuals for whom spectacles have been ordered but who have been discharged from the service prior to their receipt. Individuals discharged from the service will turn in the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, to their respective medical supply officer. c. Upon an accumulation of a substantial number of spec acles, com- mercial type, or spectacles, gas mask type, which could not be forwarded to the individual concerned because of insufficient address, and/or the eye- glass, gas mask, Ml, they will be forwarded to the Commanding Officer, Binghamton Medical Depot, Binghamton, New York, inclosing therewith a memorandum stating that such spectacles could not be delivered or that the eyeglasses were turned in to the medical supply officer. Care should be taken to include with the spectacles the applicable prescription in order that the disassembly of such spectacles or eyeglasses may be expedited. d. The Judge Advocate General has ruled that military personnel who, through design or willful negligence with the intent to temporarily in- AGO 32CB capacitate or unfit themselves for full military duty or to delay shipment overseas, destroy, lose, discard, or dispose of spectacles which have been issued to them for the purpose of insuring maximum individual efficiency in the performance of their military duties, arc guilty of a violation of Articles of War 96 by reason of being guilty of disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and military discipline; and has suggested the following form of specification to be used for such offenses: In that did, at on or about 19 , wrongfully (destroy) (lose) (discard) (dispose of) (spectacles, commercial type) (spectacles, gas mask type) (eyeglass, gas mask, Ml) of the value of $ , furnished to him for use in the military service of the United States, thereby (temporarily unfitting himself for the full performance of his military duties) (attempting to avoid important service). SPJGA 1944/1849, 15 February 1944. If a medical officer has reason to believe that any individual is guilty of conduct as set forth above, he will submit the matter to the individual’s commanding officer for such action as the latter may deem necessary. 13. CERTIFICATION OF “RECEIVING REPORT”, a. All posts, camps, and stations presently or hereafter holding prescriptions due to hesitancy in signing the receipt of purchase certificate because of lack of information that the spectacles have actually been received by the personnel for whom they were intended will alter the aforementioned certificate as authorized in b below, affix signature, and forward the prescriptions to the fiscal branch office for processing. b. The certificate of the “Receiving Report” will be changed from— “* * * that they have been delivered to the above mentioned military personnel * * *” to “* * * and w;ji j-,e delivered to the above military personnel * * 14. PERTINENT DATA TO BE TYPED ON PRESCRIPTION ORDER FORM. In preparation of the Spectacle Order Form for the procurement of spec- tacles, commercial type, or eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, issued by the Govern- ment, the age of the individual concerned will be typed opposite the name, and the visual acuity (without glasses) of the right eye, left eye, and both eyes will be shown in the last column opposite “Dec. In.” The letter “R” may be used for the right eye; “L” for left eye; and “B” for both eyes. It is further directed that information be typed on the Spectacle Order Form showing whether the order is for an initial issue, replace- ment, or repair. These data are necessary for statistical purposes and will be entered on the Spectacle Order Form. When the Spectacle Order Form is revised, space will be provided for these data. AGO 326B 15. DAILY FORWARDING OF FORMS TO OPTICAL COMPANIES UNDER CONTRACT, a. Posts, camps, and stations procuring spectacles, commer- cial type, and/or eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, will forward the Prescription Order Form to the branch office of the optical company concerned for processing at the end of each day and not accumulate such forms for transmittal at various periods. The practice of forwarding forms daily will expedite the delivery of spectacles. b. Effective immediately, the priority classification numbering system as set forth in section II, Circular No. 131, War Department, 1943, is dis- continued. This action is taken because experience has shown that requisi- tions bearing the lower priority classifications have remained outstanding for undue periods, and in view of the fact that spectacle requirements have become more stabilized, it is contemplated that the contractors will now be in a position to provide spectacle service within the maximum time limits specified in the respective contracts. Stations experiencing undue delays in the receipt of finished spectacles should bring these circum- stances to the attention of the Office of The Surgeon General in order that corrective measures may be taken. In this connection, the maximum time clauses in the contracts relate to the time consumed at the service point and in determining whether undue delays have occurred, proper con- sideration should be given to transit time, time consumed within the sta- tions for the forwarding of the prescriptions and deliveries of the finished spectacles and other pertinent factors. 16. CONTRACT INFORMATION NOT TO BE DIVULGED. Information in connection with contracts for the supply and repair of spectacles, commer- cial type, and eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, for military and other authorized personnel, especially information in regard to the charges listed therein, will not be divulged to any military personnel, civilian employees of the United States Government, or any other individuals, with the exception of such military personnel and/or civilian employees of the United States Government as require the information for the execution of their duties. 17. PERMANENT RECORD OF PRESCRIPTION FOR SPECTACLES, COM- MERCIAL TYPE, AND EYEGLASS, GAS MASK, Ml. a. In order to facili- tate the replacement or repair of lost or broken lenses and spectacle frames of the spectacles, commercial type, and the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, a perma- nent record will be. made. In the case of officers, this data w ill be entered on W. D., M. D. Form No. 81 (Immunization Register), and in the case of enlisted personnel, on page 15, W. D., A. G. O. Form No. 24 (Service Record). b. The following data will be made a part of such records for the spectacles, commercial type: (1) When an individual is examined and in the opinion of the prescrib- ing officer, spectacles, commercial type, are not required, entry will be AGO 326B made showing date of examination and stating that spectacles are not necessary for the efficient performance of military duty. (2) If, after examination, it is found that spectacles are necessary, the following entries will be made: (a) Prescription data. (1) Date and place of refraction. (2) Visual acuity of each eye and visual acuity, binocular, with and without correction. (3) Correction required for each eye. (4) Frame size. (b) Issue data. (!) Date spectacles ordered and date spectacles are issued. {2) Number of pairs of spectacles issued to the individual. c. The following data will be made a part of such records in the case of the eyeglass, gas mask, M1: (1) Prescription data. (a) Correction required for each eye. (b) Position of eyeglass, gas mask, M1. (c) Size of the proper fitting mask. (2) Issue data. (a) Date eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, ordered and date this item is issued. d. A copy of the prescription and frame measurements of spectacles, commercial type and/or position of the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml will be given to the individual concerned, and he will be instructed to keep this copy on his person at all times. This is necessary to avoid refraction of eyes each time repair or replacement of spectacles becomes necessary. Eye clinics and station hospitals will use any prescription form they may have adaptable for this purpose. 18. PERSONNEL ENTITLED TO EYEGLASSES. Personnel Spectacles, commercial type Eyeglass, gas mask, Ml o. Officers and enlisted men of the United If entitled in ac- If entitled in ac- States Army, including Army nurses, members of the Women’s Army Corps, cordance with cordance with paragraph 19, two pairs of spec- paragraph 20, and otfier militarized female personnel one pair of eye- of the Army. tacles, commer- cial type. glass, gas mask, Ml. b. Warrant officers Do. c. Cadets, United States Military Academy. Do. d. Aviation cadets; Army Air Forces Do. c. Contract surgeons (full time) of the Army. Do. f. Prisoners (United States Army personnel) in military custody. Do. g. National Guardsmen in active Federal service. Do. h. Reserve officers on extended active duty with the Army. Do. /, Reserve enlisted men on extended active duty with the Army, Do. AGO 326B Personnel Spectacles, commercial type Eyeglass, gas mark, Ml J. Retired military personnel on active duty with the Army. If entitled in ac- cordance with paragraph 19, two pairs of spectacles, com- mercial type. If entitled in ac- cordance with paragraph 20, one pair of eye- glass; gas mask, Ml. fc. Members of the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines in the service of the armed forces of the United States. Do. 1. Authorized military personnel of any country, the defense of which the Presi- dent deems vital to the defense of the United States, when such authorized personnel are stationed within the forty- eight States and the District of Columbia, and military personnel, wherever located, of all cobelligerent countries who cannot reasonably obtain eyeglasses or replace- ment and repair thereof from facilities of their own country. If entitled in ac- cordance with paragraph 20, and if issued a gas mask of the United States Army type, one pair of eyeglass, gas mask, Ml. m. Such civilian employees of the War De- partment on military missions overseas as require eyeglasses for the performance of their duties. Authorized for re- pair and replace- ment only. If entitled in ac- cordance with paragraph 20, and if issued a gas mask of the U. S. Army type, one pair of eye- glass, gas mask, Ml. n. Such Red Cross workers on military mis- sions overseas as require eyeglasses for the performance of their duties. do Do. o. Internees (prisoners of war and civilian enemy aliens) undergoing internment by the War Department. One pair of spec- tacles, commer- cial type, only if entitled in ac- cordance with paragraph 19. Not authorized. 19. BASIS OF ISSUE OF SPECTACLES, COMMERCIAL TYPE. a. Effec- tive immediately, the professional basis of issue of spectacles, commercial type, to authorized personnel will be as follows: (1) To individuals requiring a correction of more than 1.00 diopter in any meridian in either eye. (2) To other individuals who, in the opinion of the prescribing officer, require spectacles for the efficient performance of military duties, regardless of their correction. b. Personnel entitled to spectacles will be issued two pairs of spectacles with the following exceptions: (1) Prisoners of war and civilian enemy aliens will be issued only one pair each. (2) In special cases where individuals are performing unusually close work for which bifocals are not adapted, the number of pairs of spectacles to be issued will be determined by the prescribing officer. AGO 32GH c. Examination for spectacles will be made as early as possible during the basic training period. This examination wi! include, but not neces- sarily be limited to, all individuals having a visual acuity of worse than 20/40 in cither eye. The purpose of such examination is to avoid border- line cases reaching staging areas or ports of embarkation without complete examination having been made. d. Prescribing officers are urged to exercise the discretionary basis of issue (a (2) above) with careful judgment in order that spectacles will be furnished only when they arc necessary’ for the official performance of military duties. e. When a prescription for spectacles is issued for an individual requiring a correction of 1.00 diopter or less in any meridian in each eye, a cer- tification signed in autograph by the prescribing officer will be made on the Prescription Order Form setting forth in brief detail the reason for furnishing such correction at government expense. f. The certification will be typed on all copies of the Prescription Order Form (the original only to be signed) as follows: Spectacles are considered necessary for this individual because; (Name and grade) g. This certification is not required for bifocal corrections; however, prescriptions calling for corrections of 1.00 diopter or less in any meridian in each eye incorporating a prism in either or both eyes will include this certification. h. Prescribing officers are responsible for determining whether the in- dividual has previously been furnished spectacles at Government expense before spectacles are ordered. This responsibility can be properly dis- charged by requiring this information in writing from the individual’s com- mandng officer. (See par. 12d.) i. Commanding officers of posts, camps and stations are responsible for establishing proper local procedure for the issuance of.&pectacles. j. In the event an individual has in his possession a serviceable pair of metal rimmed spectacles, they may be considered as a second pair of spectacles, commercial type, and repair thereof may be accomplished in accordance with paragraph 24b. 20. BASIS OF ISSUE OF EYEGLASS, GAS MASK, M-l. a. The eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, will be ordered only upon the authority of a prescription by the medical officer in charge. The Medical Department is the responsi- ble agency charged with the proper fitting, issue, and repair of this item. Basis of issue will be only to personnel with a visual acuity of 20/70 or worse, with both eyes open (binocular vision) or to personnel requiring bifocal correction in order to properly perform their duties while wearing the gas mask. b. The eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, will be issued only to authorized personnel requiring this correction (a above) as follows: AGO 326B (1) Training purposes for supervisory personnel and instructors only at the specific authorization of The Surgeon General. (2) Personnel directed to be transferred to oversea replacement depots or ports, of embarkation for oversea shipment will be fitted with and issued the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, prior to such transfer. Commanders re- sponsible for preparing personnel for transfer will make every effort to secure this item for such personnel requiring this type eyeglass. (3) Individuals in those units placed in A-2 priority for the issue of controlled items of equipment will be fitted with and issued the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, prior to movement to the staging area or port of embarka- tion. Unit commanders are responsible for making every effort to secure this item for all individuals under their command who require this type eyeglass. c. Priority for issue of the eyeglass, gas mask. Ml, is as follows: (1) Priority No. 1. Individuals referred to b(2) above and individuals in units which are in equipment priority A-2a. (2) Priority No. 2. Individuals in units which are in equipment pri- ority A- 2b. (3) Priority No. 3. Individuals in units which are in equipment pri- ority A-2c. (4) Priority No. 4. Individuals referred to b( 1) above. d. The lack of the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, will not be sufficient cause to prevent the movement of an individual overseas. e. In order to avoid subsequent refitting of this type spectacle, the following procedure is established. (1) Each individual entitled to the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, as outlined in a and b above, will have issued to him, as expeditiously as possible, a new gas mask having an M3 facepiece, or a mask, gas, combat, when directed. However, until such time as the M3 facepiece is locally available, a new gas mask with M2A2 facepiece will be substituted. It is essential that a properly fitted gas mask be furnished. This means properly fitted for the installation of the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, as well as gas-tightness. Commanders will be responsible for the furnishing of a properly fitted face- piece to permit a satisfactory installation of the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, in accordance with recommendations of the prescribing medical officer. The commanding officer of the post, camp, or station will be responsible for establishing proper procedures to expedite the accomplishment of the above for all personnel located at such installations. (2) The individual entitled to the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, will carry’ his properly fitted facepiece overseas. To accomplish this, the individual will carry his complete mask with him to the port of embarkation. The port commander will be responsible for accomplishing the following exchanges: (a) In such cases when mask, gas, service, lighweight, is authorized in pertinent movement orders, the port Chemical Warfare Service officer will AGO 326B properly intall a new hosetube, canister and carrier on the facepiece fitted with the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, in exchange for the old hosetube, canister, and carrier. (b) In the event the individual has in his possession an M3 facepiece, an exchange of the hosetube, canister, and carrier will be made when de- termined necessary by the port Chemical Warfare Service officer. In all cases the port Chemical Warfare Service officer will insure proper tight- ness of the union between facepiece and hosetube. f. The various positions of the lens within the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, should usually make unnecessary any decentration of lenses in excess of 2l/2-mm in either the vertical or horizontal meridian. Prescriptions calling for decentration in excess of 2 /u -mm probably indicate that the incorrect position of the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, has been prescribed or that improp- erly fitted gas mask has been issued. The supplier is authorized to return for correction those prescriptions which evidence that decentration could have been minimized through the use of a different position of the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml. g. At the time of issuance of the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, to military or other authorized personnel, it will be the responsibility of the medical officer in charge to instruct the recipient of the eyeglasses in the technique of in- serting and removing this item from the gas mask. This is necessary in the event the eyeglasses or the eyepieces of the gas mask require cleaning. The individual will be cautioned that the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, will not be removed for any other reason. h. An excessive number of breakages of the lenses are being experienced at various installations, and it has been determined that the majority of such breakages occur from excessive pressure of the eyewire on the lens. In this connection, attention is directed to paragraph 7, page 2a, of the “Instruction Manual for Fitting Eyeglass, Gas Mask, Ml”, which states that after rotating the lens to the proper axis, the eyewire screw should be tightened and then backed off one-half turn to relieve excessive pressure. Y- cu-i >. '. £V ' * “ ■. 21. TINTED AND ESPECIALLY SHAPED LENSES. Tinted and especially shaped lenses are not authorized except in connection with repairs as covered by paragraph 24b. 22. LENSES OTHER THAN THOSE SUPPLIED UNDER EXISTING CON- TRACTS. In the event a lens of a special type is required other than the type supplied under existing contracts, authority for such purchase will be requested of The Surgeon General through the commanding general of the service command setting forth in detail the existing circumstances which necessitate such a special lens. 23. FRAMES OF SPECTACLES FOR ORDINARY WEAR OTHER THAN THOSE SUPPLIED UNDER EXISTING CONTRACTS. In the event a frame is required other than the type issued under the existing contracts for AGO 326B spectacles, commercial type, due to an idiosyncrasy of the skin, authority for procurement of such special frame will be requested of The Surgeon General through the commanding general of the service command setting forth detailed information concerning the existing circumstances. 24. REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR OF SPECTACLES, COMMERCIAL TYPE. a. Before spectacles, commercial type, are replaced or repaired, the re- sponsible officer will assure himself that loss or breakage was in the per- formance of military or official duty and that no carelessness was involved. (See par. 12d.) Complete replacement or repair will be-limited to those individuals entitled to spectacles in accordance with the basis of issue as set forth in paragraph 19. b. Repairs of serviceable, metal-rimmed spectacles with temples of durable construction, decision as to durability to rest with the responsible medical officer (Par. 19j) will also be made at public expense and will be governed by the following: (1) If one lens is broken, replacement in kind will be made. (2) If both lenses are broken, replacement will be made wdth such lenses provided under the existing contracts (untinted). (3) If the frame is broken, repair will be made provided that the cost wall not exceed the charge of a complete pair of spectacles issued by the Army. c. Experience has indicated that individuals are purchasing zylonite and shell frames and are being issued lenses at public expense for insertion therein. This practice is not authorized and wall be discontinued immediately. 25. REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS; EYEGLASS, GAS MASK, Ml. Before the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml is replaced or repaired, the responsible officer will assure himself that loss or breakage w as in the performance of military' or official duty and thkt n6" carelessness wras involved. (See par. 12d.) 26. REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS; SPECTACLES, GAS MASK TYPE (TO BE USED AS AN AUXILIARY PAIR OF COMMERCIAL TYPE SPECTACLES). a. In case of losses or breakages, replacement in whole of the spectacles, gas mask type, or repair of the frame or replacement of the temple will not be made but replacement will be effected through issuance of spectacles, commercial type, in accordance with paragraph 19. b. Replacement of lenses of the spectacles, gas mask type, will be made only after the responsible officer has assured himself that breakage was in the performance of military or official duty and that no carelessness was involved. (See par. 12d.) Replacement of lenses will be limited to those individuals entitled to spectacles, commercial type, in accordance with the basis of issue as set forth in paragraph 19. Lenses will be procured under existing contracts for spectacles, commercial type. AGO 32GB 27. OPTICAL REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT UNITS. Through the medium of mobile and portable optical repair units, repair and replacement facili- ties are available in the various theaters of operation. The optical repair facilities are attached to medical supply depots and whenever possible should be utilized. These facilities, however, are generally limited to the replacement and repair of spectacles of the type covered by The Surgeon General’s specifications. 28. FITTING AND REPAIR CASES FOR SPECTACLES, COMMERCIAL TYPE. The following fitting and repair case is presently stocked and is issued upon requisition to The Surgeon General: Item 36275, Case, Spectacle, Fitting and Repair. In the event fitting and repair cases in excess of authorized allowances are necessary due to the volume of work, requisitions should be directed to The Surgeon General setting forth therein the number of spectacle requisitions per month being initiated at the par- ticular installation. 29. FITTING CASE FOR EYEGLASS, GAS MASK, Ml. The following fitting and repair case for the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, is presently stocked and is issued upon requisition to The Surgeon General: Item 93540, Case, Fitting, Eyeglass, Gas Mask, Mi. This fitting case should be requisitioned by only such stations which have occasion to order the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, in accordance with the basis of issue as set forth in paragraph 20. In the event an additional fitting case for the eyeglass, gas mask, is necessary due to the abundance of work being performed at the particular installation, requisition should be directed to The Surgeon General setting forth therein the volume of work which is being performed over a monthly period. 30. REPLACEMENT OF USED OR DAMAGED ARTICLES OF ITEM 36275, CASE, SPECTACLE, FITTING AND REPAIR; ITEM 93540, CASE, FTTTING, EYEGLASS, GAS MASK, Ml; AND ITEM 30900, CASE, TRIAL LENS. a. The following procedure is applicable for stations within the continental limits of the United States and those oversea installations procuring spec- tacles under the spectacle contracts entered into by The Surgeon General: (1) Components of Item 36275 and Item 30900 are to be procured under the commercial type spectacle contract with the American Optical Company, Southbridge, Mass, Copies of this contract are being distributed to all installations having occasion to procure the commercial type spec- tacles, including those installations procuring commercial type spectacles from the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, Rochester, New York; the latter, however, for the specific purpose of procuring components of the aforementioned items. (2) Components of Item 93540 are to be procured under the contract for the eyeglass, gas mask. Ml, with the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, Rochester, New York. Copies of this contract are being distributed to all installations having occasion to procure the eyeglass, gas mask, Ml. AGO 326B b. Installations beyond the continental limits of the United States will requisition components of the above mentioned items in the usual manner. 31. STATIONS WITHIN CONTINENTAL LIMITS OF UNITED STATES, a. Medical officers at installations within the continental limits of the United States will place orders for spectacles, commercial type, and for eyeglass, gas mask, Ml, as heretofore on the Spectacle Order Form. b. Instructions attached to the copy of the respective optical contracts set forth definite procedures in procuring spectacles, commercial type, and eyeglass, gas mask, Ml. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington 25, D. C., 20 June 1944. War Department Pamphlet No. 8-5, Procurement of Spectacles for Military and Other Authorized Personnel, is published for the information and guidance of all concerned. [A. G. 413.75 (15 Jun 44).] By order of the Secretary of War ; G. C. MARSHALL, . Chief of Staff. Official: J. A. ULIO, Major General, The Adjutant General. AGO 326B U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE! 1944