Evening star., 1917-11-11

VIC so1 6eoi general OIL the Army. IS now
preparing to under
Rehabilitatinp take work on behalf
Wounded Men. di.rs who may may 't, be
wounded or MANNED on the battlefelds
Of Europe. The work of rehabilitating
injured soldiers and fitting them to be-
come wage earners will be accomplished
through, first, the usual curative treatment,
special and general: second. additional
measures for functional restoration: third,
occupational therapy of a vocational ma
ture, and. fourth an actual induction into
a school or plant for the final vocational
training. During the entire period the
patient is to remain under military con-
troll.
1t is proposed by Army officials that
the usual therapeutic measures, medical
and surgical. special and general. shall
be employed, as we'll as existing facili-
ties permit. from the time the injury Is
received and continued through the series
Of hospitals through which the wounded
may pass until they reach the base or
general hospital. where final treatment is
given.
For those who are permanently dis
abled this base or general hospital will
be liz the United States. where. upon the
arrival OF the patient. additional curative
measures will be instituted followed by
the use OF all the known means which
are of value in bringing about restora-
tion OF function In parts which have been
permanently damaged to greater or less
degree.
The greatest possible restoration of
function having been secured. the plan
contemplates readjustment Of the DAM
aged individual to life outside the hos
pital. The details of this portion of the
treatment will vary, to a considerable ex-
tent, according to the nature of the in
jury. but in general they tend to the
same end-that is, to accustom the SOL
diers to the use of the artificial or par
TALLY damaged members. and to equip him
with vocational training and educational
teaching In order to render him able to
adjust himself to life he will meet 1t
upon his discharge from the hospital
In some cases it is believed that the
soldier will be able to follow his prewar
occupation without any re-educaton. In
others 1t will be possible. after period
OF re-education. In many cases the pre-
war occupation cannot be resumed. For
those who are unable to follow their pre-
vious occupation. a complete re-education
in an entirely new or related occupation
will be necessary.
1t is planned. after the invalided
soldier has returned to the United
States, to have an individual study made
of his condition and capabilities. con-
sistfng of a general survey of his past
life, a special vocational inquiry to de-
velop what he wants to do in the fu-
ture. what he probably can do and how
well the two agree, and a careful med
ical examination. Based upon this study
definite recommendations can be fur
nished as to an ultimate disposition,
this to be determined by legislation
governing discharged soldiers.
The Army officials suggest that those
whose disability is Of such extent or
character as to make 1t practically Ger
tain that they must always remain
helpless and unable to follow any oc-
cupation to any appreciable degree
should be discharged from the Army
and placed either in special homes or
hospitals. the government assuming
their care during the remainder of their
lives. or discharged into the care Of
friends or relatives. In the latter case
they would still retain the pri vilege Of
returning to the government hospitals
or homes should they 90 daSjre