The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-12

Biesalski. and like everything else
that has seemed thoroughly prac-
ticable, the suggestion has received
encouragement and application at the
hands OF the medical fraternity in
Germany. These men instantly recog
nized the significance Of Prof. Biesal-
SKIS scheme, and what they have AL
ready accomplished is described as
little short OF wonderful.
Being a doctor in the best sens 20
OF the word means more than curing
bodily affections. At times II is lust
as necessary that the physician shall
be a fellow man in the sympathetic
sense, and by reason of his fuller
knowledge OF the human physical
getup, be able to ease the patients
mind by a timely word Of cheer. This
latter expression OF the physician's
professional task has generally in the
past been more or less an uncertain
quantity. but the present war, with its
untold anguish. has made Il clear how
much OF HIS duty really lies in this
ea NAAAe
particular direction.
II was the healing Of the mind tina,
Prof. Biesalski had in view when he
conceived the idea OF following I'm a
strictly professional call by one OF n
social nature. His aim was that he
might in a friendly way convince a
so-called cripple. for example, that the
Gay OF cripples is past: that a man
a do plenty OF good work and some-
thing well worth his while DESPITE the
loss OF a member.
the surgeon who amputated a mans
leg la not done all that Is required
oi MIN, according to this theory; he
goes back to his patient when the man
" on he memo to encourage him, to
advise him and to promise to start
MIN on his further life Journey with
o leg pretty nearly as efficient as the
ono lately lost. In short, he seeks to
send him away from the hospital
cheered both in body inc in mind.
Here is an example OF what is TAX
n place in the hospitals Of Germany
every day. DR.. Y is at the bedside OF
a soldier who has lost both his arms.
The operations have been successful
and the stumps are healing satisfac-
torily. but h poor fellow is worried
over the future, and is we'll nigh fever
ish as the result OF his anxious brood
ing.
We'll. my good man. YOU are now
getting along finely. and 1t won, be
long before you leave us, here saws
n surgeon What Is your calling ."
a nd fhn o,ll4n- ,A-
much for his fatherland 81
used to be n blacksmith, doctor: and
wistfully fingers on the words used
70 be-"
The doctor ~rejoins: well, then VOL
are going to remain a blacksmith.
There IS nothing 10 prevent that even
Enough you have lost both your arms.
Don't you know that such a thing as
o cripple is out Of date now? We are
going TO give you W brand new arms,
n with a little practice You will
be BILE TO swing the hammer as well
as ever
And so the conversation continues,
with the result that the man. at first
respondent and perhaps wishing 10
die, brightens ~perceptibly and begins
to look forward to the day when he
can start life anew. At the proper
time he IS directed % the nearest
school for invallds; there is one at
Zehlendorf, near Berlin; another at
Heidelberg, and a bigger one at
Vienna. These schools. OF course, are
Inadequate in view OF the demands
made upon them, but others are being
rapidly organized in connection with
homes for cripples that are already
available.
At his next social call the doctor
nnds his patient hungry for details
about the promised physical transfor-
nation, n the doctor goes on in this
fashion:
"In this school, you know you will
get new arms. They are not at all
complicated, but are very flexible.
Your stumps will first Of all be fitted
with castings OF leather, and to these
upper arms, so 10 speak, will be at
tached metal holders. Into these
holders you will be able to insert any
tool that you may media hammer,
a nle or whatever implement is re-
Spuired for your work"
No wonder that the armless soldier
looks incredulously at the man OF
medicine, but the doctor goes 'on en-
tightening him.
"Of course you'll have special tools;
ehey will all be made to suit your
metallic arms. These new members
will be so attached that our move
ments will be perfectly free and easy.
"rhe school will provide you with
everything and teach YOU besides.
Now remember. you are not going TO
be a dependent; so cheer up. Germany
isn't going to be overrun with veteran
organ grinders and the like when this
war is done. Every man that Is hurt
In her cause Ia going to have a place
IN the world worth while"
Such, in brief, is the meaning or the
physician's social cal, and the results
% far obtained in this way are so
promising that the medical fraternity
of Germany have decided 10 make this
procedure an established practice.
They are convinced that, in their daily
rounds, encouragement OF this sort
will do an immense amount Of good,
no matter what the patients condi-
ton may be, and they realize the
psychical influence at work during the
period OF convalesence
There Is nothing new In the theory
involved. but the scope Of its present
application is novel indeed. The SOL
der In no more n man of iron than the
ordinary civilian, and the thought OF
being a burden upon others when dis
charged from the hospital is apt to act
- N Aatarran, tnurarl hIa ra,,,,arv