The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-11-11
CRIPPLES AT S. U. Il.
Fifty Children Being Treated at
Present at State Expense.


Iowa City, Nov. 6.-Fifty children
suffering from deformities OF the
bones are now being treated in the
orthopedic ward of the state univer-
sity's hospital, under the system pro-
yided by the Perkins law passed by
the last general assembly. Several
more who need medical treatment
only are in the pediatic department,
and a considerable number have
been treated in both departments
and discharged since the law went
into effect
The Perkins law, called by the
Chicago Tribune one Of the most i'm
portant constructive measures re-
Gently enacted, makes it possible for
deformed and crippled children and
those suffering from any malady
which may probably be remedied to
be brought to the university hospital
and treated at the expense OF the
state.
The law provides that any judge OF
district or superior court, sitting
as a juvenile court, may, on his own
motion or on information furnished
by probation officer, an overseer OF
the poor, a regularly licensed physl-
clan, of a public school teacher, or
der hearing of the facts in the
case of child under sixteen years
of age suffering with a deformlty or
malady which may probably be rem
edied, the parents and the county at
torney being notified.
The Judge is empowered to appoint
local physician to examine the
child and report to him concerning
it's condition and whether in his
opinion there is a probability that 1t
may be helped by proper treatment.
If it appears to the court that such is
the case, and the parents give their
consent, the child may then be COM
mit:ed to the university hospital at
Iowa City for treatment, and the ac-
tual expenses at he hospital will be
paiG by the state.
The value of the law is now being
demonstrated. Take the case OF Lee
land for instance. Leland is IL
years old. Two months ago he had
never walked a step on his feet. He
had craWled all of his short life.
No whe is able to walk slowly up
and down the hospital corridor. Lat
er he will be able to skip and play
like other children. His is one OF
the simple cases. Modern marvels
are being performed almost daily by
DR.. Arthur Slender, the expert in
orthopedic surgery, Strengthening
crooked bones, cleaning up diseased
Joints, substituting live nerves for
dead ones, and using in other ways
the most advanced methods OF sci
ence to make good, healthy bodies
out of poor, diseased structures.
Some cases can be cured in a
month or two; others will take
year or more. But when the treat
ment is through, a self-reliant, able
boy or girl will go out into the sun
shine in place of one who might have
been charge on society.
The pediatics department has been
organized in two months to look at
ter children's diseases and to devise
methods of feeding and care that
will assure the development OF heal
thy children. Under DR.. Albert IL.
Beifield, a man of extensive prellm-
mary preparation, it is now equipped
as we'll as the child welfare service
in any hospital in the big cities OF
the east. Children who are suffer-
ing from disease other than those
of bones and joints are cared for in
this department.
The service of the university hos
pital and these experts has been plac-
ed by the state of Iowa, within reach
of the poorest citizen. 1t is support
ed by the whole people for the gen
eral good society may reap by re-
placing dependents with healthy,
vigorous citizens.