Evening star., 1917-10-14
81 Man to Be Perfect Mentally and Physicall3

thirty beds. IN charge Of two peychist
trists and one neurologfst, with o per
attendants. The units will be equipped
with special hydrotherapeutic and cleo
trotherapeutic apparatus One OF the
most significant parts OF the equipment
sedative baths. which II has been found
form the most successful kind OF treat
ment for shell shock and for the ex-
citement and restlessness resulting
from the strain of the firing line.
A psychiatric unit will be attached
to each base hospital in the training
camps and to each base hospital sent
abroad with our forces. Four OF these
units will leave for France In q short
time and seven are ready to be as
ing organized. Later 1t is expected tos
add psychologists to the units as as-1
sistants to the medical staffs and 70
make use of psychologist tests In the
work of mental selection.
There has been an immediate re-
sponse to calls for assistance in theI
work OF the psychiatric unit. In spitei
of the fact that the mortality of doc-l
tors at the firing line is second highest
psychiatrists and neurologists are en-
listing from all parts of the United
States and clamoring for immediateV
service at the front. State hospitals
have contributed heavily of their
trained physicians and nurses. Thu
state Hospital of Massachusetts, alone|
has offered to the committee the serv-'
ices OF sixty-six physicians specially
trained in this work.
Soldiers who do not recover promptly at
the base hospitals abroad are to be In
valided home and the surgeon general is
now working out a constructive program
dealing with the treatment Of invaded
soldiers and their distribution to proper
centers OF observation. further treatment.
convalescence and re-education. 1t Is
believed by neurologists and proved by
the experience of Europe with the invalid
ed soldier that too immediate transition
from the fighting line to home demoranzes
and frequently kills the patient. The
pampering OF his family accentuates rath-
er than cures his disorder
1t is projected by psychiatrists who
are working out the idea that he shall be
by gradual stages will reattach to his en-
vironment the man who Is completely
shaken up and unstrung by his expert
ences at tie front.
interested in the organization OF the
psychiatric unit, and in seeing to 1t that
psychiatrists are stationed at each OF tho
naval training stations for the examina I
psychopathic hospital is being built on
the grounds OF the Marine Hospital on
Staten Island for the treatment OF cases
which arise in the naval service.
The members of the committee on fur
nishing hospital units for nervous and
mental disorders to the United States
government are. in addition to the chair
man, Maj. Bailey: DR.. William A. White.
superintendent of the Government Hos
pitai for the Insane; DIR. Thomas W.
Salmon, DR. M. $. Gregory of New York.
Or. E. Z, Southard OF Boston. Dr. William
L. Russell of White Plains. DR.. Steward
Patton of Princeton. DIR. Adolf Meyer. Otto
OF Baltimore, DIR. George +. Kirby and
DR. August Hoch of Wards Island, New
York; DIR. Isham G. Harris of Brooklyn,
Dr. Walter E. Fernald of Waverley.
Mass; DR.. Charles L. Dana Of New York.
DIR. owen Copp of Philadelphia. DR.. 10.
seph Collins OF New York. DR.. L. Ver-
non Briggs of Boston. DIR. G. Alden Blu.
mer of Providence and DR.. Albert u
Barrett Of Michigan.