The Monticellonian., 1918-09-13
R>yi7Z1nC CNYRF E4LiGW ENGY EX
 SEQ -RH02EY

different sections of the United States are to be used as reconstruction hospitals, where the maimed may be restored to their fullest useful ness To each will be attached workshops, where at least the rudiments of different trades may be praeticed gardens and farm land for outdoor work and every possible facility for encouraging the cripple to do his utmost toward self-restora- ton. Here, too, will be centered the work Of the reconstruction aids" corps of instructors in physical training specially trained for the work of drilling crippled men in the fullest use Of ther 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 leg may become mobile and useful has been carefully cai- culated as q result of French experience; it is surprising to sound man to discover how useful half forearm, for instance, may become. The corps of reconstruction aids is being recruited from among men and women instructors in gym nastics under the direction of Miss Marguerite Sanderson of Boston.
 The fitting of artificial members to replace miss ing hands and legs has become almost science in itself Wonderful results have been achieved in Europe with marvellous and complicated hand meehanisms 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, much more serviceable as worK- ing hands specialized body Of surgeons IS studying the whole subject under the direction Of Surgeon General GorgaS, with q view to nttlng every American soldier who may need such arti- ficial aid with the type best adapted to mB 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 a journeyman carpenter who has lost an arm may be trained into good superfn- tendent of construction. If this can be done by placing him in school where he will have an opportunity to learn how to read biueprfnts and understand specifications. such school will be found So far as possible, existing schools are to be utilized most of the large industrial organza- tions already maintain technical schools for their employees. and these and other similar insttu- tions will be opened to the discharged crippled soldier And while the soldier sailor is under going such re-education he will continue to re- ceiye the disability compensation to which he is entitled under the war risk insurance act. If the advice of those who have studied European e1- 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 habilltation may be made available for any per son injured in any civl employment. under condi- tfons 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 we'll as the war cripple back the pay roll.