The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-09-09
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

| have been greatly interested in the various activities set in motion in this
 and other countries to take care of and
 start the disabled soldiers and sailors on their return home on way to be self supporting.
 can only touch the fringe of what is being done by simply bringing before you the result of my reading in papers, mag azines and what I have learned in talk bilities of war, and to those who are en- gagged in ministering to their needs. To bring it close home, your boy, your brother, your husband, your friend may be wounded-what then? Perhaps he win recover; perhaps he may be permanently
 disabled-what then? He may be blinded,
 he may lose an arm or leg or both- what then, afterward?
 This is the thing to be faced in many for upon its wise solution depends the
 happiness not merely of the victim of
 war, but in many instances the status of
 those he loves will hang on the way it is solved.
 In the first flush of the war when we are all emotionalized by the tremendous
 sacrifice being made by our men, his
 wounds, you know, of course, will be
 glorious" for time at least-but what
 then? How will he cease being a hero and become just cripple? There is the
 rub.
 Germany's prepareeness a1ong this line
 throws a light on to who started the con- Migration, but in spite of her boasted efficiency. am glad to state that Amer
 ica and her allies are wide-awake in ear,
 ing for their disabled soldiers and sail- ors, and already Carry On, a magazine devoted to giving publicity to the sub ject, is appearing filled with what is be- ing done.
 It is edited by the office of the sur geon general, United States army, ana published for the surgeon general by the American Red Cross.
 Now, here is the promise of General Gorgas: The medical department of the army will carry on in the medical and training treatment of the disabled soldier
 until he is cured or as nearly cured as his disabilities permit. We shall do ou.' part in his restoration to health effi-
 ciently, with the belief that the wounded and sick soldier shall have the opportuni-
 ty to return 10 civil life capable of pursu- ing career of usefulness. This will en-
 able him to enjoy the freedom and happi- ness afforded by worldwide democracy
 for which he has given his all" Now, let's give bit of history on how a man who receives wound is handled: The wounded soldier comes through the field and base hospital, and, finally. # his disability is such as to disqualify him from further military service, he is returned from overseas to a convalescent 1 hospital at home Certainly at this point the rehabilitation of the physically dis abled becomes national necessity, and his preparation to return to his social and economic life should begin. Now, when re-education of the disabled was first begun in France and Germany. 1t was found that many of the men were unwilling to undertake training, in ap- prehension of prejudicing their pension award. This was overcome by q pro- nouncement from the governments that
 such would not be the case. but that
 pensions would be based on degree Of
 physical disability alone, without refer ence to earning power. In Canada, a
 placard to this effect is posted in all mil- itary hospitals and convalescent homes. | But even this objection ueing removed. | the new handicap usually throws the man into state of extreme discourage
 ment The loss of hand. an arm. or .