, 1918-09-12
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different sections of the United States are to De
used as reconstruction hospitals, where the
MANNED may be restored to their fullest useful-
ness. To each will be attached workshops, where
at least the rudiments of different trades may be
practiced; gardens and farm land for outdoor
work, and every possible facility for encouraging
the cripple to do his utmost toward self-restora-
tion. Here, too, will be centered the work of the
Reconstruction aids" a corps Of Instructors In
physical training, specially trained for the work
of drilling crippled men In the fullest use of their
remaining muscles, to the end that they may
exercise their faculties to the utmost The de-
gree to which the stump of an arm or a leg may
become mobile and useful has been carefully cal
culated as a result of French experience; 1t ID
surprising to a sound man to discover how useful
half a forearm. for instance, may become. me
corps of reconstruction aids is being recruited
from among men and women instructors In gym
nastics under the direction of Miss Marguerite
Sand erson of Boston.
The fitting of artificial members to replace miss
ing hands and legs has become almost a science
in itself. Wonderful results have been achieved
In Europe with marvellous and complicated hano
mechanisms that enable their wearers to perform
almost miraculous feats. For most crippled SOL
diers. however, the simpler forms. variations OF
the plain hook or the various forms of clamps for
holding tools, are much more serviceable as WORK.
ing hands. A specialized body of surgeons is
studying the whole subject under the direction OF
Surgeon General Gorgas, with a view to hitting
every American soldier who may need such arti.
fetal aid with the type best adapted to- his
civilian needs.
The general plan of reconstruction work con-
templates caring for each disabled soldier or
sailor in the reconstruction hospital nearest his
former home. The plan of vocational rehabilita-
ton ~contemplates training him to do something
as nearly like his former occupation as possible.
For instance, n journeyman carpenter who has
lost an arm may be trained into a good superin-
tendent of construction. If this can be done by
placing him in a school where he will have an
opportunity to learn how to read blueprints and
understand specifications, such a school viii be
found. So far as possible, existing schools are to
be utilized; most of the large industrial organiza-
lions already maintain technical schools for their
employees, and these and other similar insttu-
lions will be opened to the discharged crippled
soldier. And while the soldier or sailor is under
going such re-education he will continue to re-
ceive the disability compensation to which he 10
entitled under the war risk insurance act. II the
advice Of those who have studied European ex-
perienca is taken, any pension to which he may
be entitled is to be based upon the nature and
extent Of his injuries and not upon his earning
capacity.
Both the reconstruction hospitals and the gem
eraI scheme Of rehabilitation in all probability
VIII be open to civilian employees Of the govern
ment injured In the discharge of their duty, and
under certain restrictions the vocational re-
habilItation may be made available for any per-
son injured in any civil employment. under condi-
lions to be established by the rehabilitation board.
Out Of the emergency Of war, therefore. there win
thus devotion q permanent asset for peace, a long
step toward solving the problem Of putting the
industrial cripple as well as the war cripple back
on the pay roll.