The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1918-09-19
KINlZZ1ltG EHM
WUGwENN Tue
9E-RDlE


a,noror+ soct,ons If the United States are to be
used as reconstruction hospitals, where tne
manned NAV be restored to their fullest uselu'-
ness To each will be attached WORKSHOPS "here
at least the rudments of different trades may DC
practiced: gardens and farm land Tor OUTDOOR
work, and every possible facility tor encoulusns
the cripple to do his utmost toward sef-restora'
ti0n Here too will be centered the work OF the
Reconstruction cds," corps OF instructors IN
physical training, specially trained for the WORK
of drilling crippled men in the fullest use OF tnelr
remaining muscles, to the end that they may
exercise their faculties to the utmost. Inc oe
gree to which the stump of an arm or a leg may
hecome mobile and useful has been carefully col"
culoted> as a result of French experience; 1t Is
surprising to q sound man to discover now uselul
half forearm, for instance, may become. Ing
corps of reconstruction aids Is being recrulteo
from among men and women instructors IN gym
nastics under the direction OF Miss "A"l s"eAl'0
Sanderson of Boston,
The fitting of artificial members to replace miss"
ing hands and legs has become almost a sclence
in ITSELF Wonderful results have been achleVeu
in Europe with marvellous and complicated manu-
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 1ot
holding TOOLS are much more serviceabe as work
ing hands. A specialized body OF surgeons IS
studying the whole subject under the dlrectlon Vi
Surgeon General GOrgas, with view to nttlhs
every American soldier who may need such aru-
fetal aid with the type best adapted 10 II"
civilian needs.
The general plan Of reconstruction work con-
templates caring for each disabled soldier OF
sailor in the reconstruction hospital nearest MS
former home. The plan OF vocational rehaDlhta'
ton contemplates training him to do something
as nearly like his former occupation as possible
For instance, a journeyman carpenter who mas
lost an arm may be trained into good supern-
.endent of construction. If this can be zone Dy
placing him in a school where he Will nave nm
opportunity to learn how to read bluepr1nts ano
understand specifications, such school Will be
found. So far as possible, existing schools are 70
be utilized; most of the large industrial organza
lions already maintain technical schools Tor tneh
employees and these and other similar institu
tons 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
ceve the disability compensation to which he Is
entitled under the war risk insurance act. II the
advice Of those who have studied European ex'
perience 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 gen.
eral scheme of rehabilitation in all probability
will be open to civilian employees of the govern
ment injured in the discharge Of their duty and
under certain restrictions the vocational re-
Mobilization 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 will
thus develop permanent asset for peace. long
step toward solving the problem of putting the
industrial cripple well as the war cripple back
on the nay roll. ~ .-s-s