The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-09-13

different sections Of the United States are to %
used as reconstruction hospitals where the
MANNED may be restored to their fullest useful-
ness. To each will be attached workshops wnefs
At least the rudments of different trades may b
practiced; gardens and farm land for outdoor
work. and every possible facility for encouraging
the cripple to do his utmost toward selfrest0fa-
don Here too will be centered the work OF the
.reconstruction aids" q corps Of instructors II
physical training. specially trained for the work
OF drilling crippled men In the fullest use OF theaf
remaining muscles. to the end that they may
exercise their faculties to the utmost. The do
Rree to which the stump of 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 usefu
half a forearm, for instance, may become. The
corps of reconsttdction aids Is being recruited
from among men and women instructors In gym.
nastics under the direction OF MISS AarHuef1te
Sanderson of Boston.
The fitting of artificial members to replace miee-
ing hands and legs has become almost a science
in itself Wonderful results have been achieved
In Europe with marvellous and complicated hano
mechansms that enable their wearers to perform
almost miraculous feats For most crippled sor
diers however, the simpler forms. variations OF
the plain hook or the various forms OF clamps fof
holding TOOLS are much more servceable as worH'
ing hands. A specialized body Of surgeons ID
studying the whole subject under the direction OF
Surgeon General Gorgas. with a view to ntting
every American soldier who may need such arta-
acial aid with the type best adapted to bis
civilian needs.
The general plan Of reconstruction work coo'
templates caring for each disabled soldier a.
sailor In the reconstruction hospital nearest AD
former home. The plan Of vocational rehabfitAr
ton contemplates training him to do something
as nearly like his former occupation - possible
For instance, n journeyman carpenter who has
lost an arm may be trained into a good supeF10e
tendent Of construction. II this can be done By
placing him In a school where he will have an
opportunity to learn how to read buepr4nts ana
understand specifications, such . school will b
found So far possible, existing schools are %
be utilized most Of the large industrial organise
tions already maintain technical schools for their
employees, and these and other similar instito.
tions will BE- opened to the discharged crfppleo
soldier And while the soldier or sailor IL undes.
going such re-education he viii continue to ~
ceive the disability compensation to which he -
entitled under the war risk insurance act Il IL
advice Of those who have studied European -
perience 10 taken. any pension to which he may
be entitled 10 to be based upon the nature and
extent Of his injuries and not upon his earning
capacity.
Both the reconstruction hospitals and the geo
eral scheme Of rehabilitation In all probability
will be open to civilian employees Of the govern
ment injured In the discharge Of their duty. ard
under certain restrictions the vocational ~
habiitation may be made available for any per
con injured In any civu employment under condi.
ions to be established By the rehabilitation board
Out Of the emergency of war. therefore. thsfe NJ
thus develop q permanent asset for peace, q len
step toward solving the problem Of putting the
industrial cripple - well ~ the war cripple bach
on the pay roll