Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-11-24

ANDMAIMED MEN
BY J. MART CAMPBELL

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23--They are
coming back from the battlefield to
the hospitals, many of them haunted
with the terror that they may never
again be self-sustaining, hat they
may, of dire necessity be dependent
upon the bounty Of strangers-these
disabled American soldiers who went
SO blithe and brave, often with song
on their lips, into the red horror over
seas.
But their fear of the unseen future
is grCundless. Uncle Sam is going to
see that the manned and the sick are
not only mended and cured, but that
they are trained to hold their own in
a world that has little use for help
less men.
Attention has been directed by
Representative George M. Young, OF
North Dakota, to what is already
being accomplished in fifteen of the
United States general hospitals to
insure The mental and physical re-
Mobilization Of disabled American
soldiers
Surgeon General Gorgas informed
Representative Young that first of all
there has been laid down as basic
principle that physical reconstruc-
ton CT such soldiers should be defined
therefore, when the man has arrived
at the stage when he begins to worry
about his future, whether in this
country or overseas"
The first problem is to divert the
mans attention by simple recreation,
through reading, pictures, games
handiwork and the like, with view
to supplement his previous vocational
experience by academic, scientific or
technical instruction, or choose a new
vocation and begin preparation for it.
Three classes of disabled soldiers
are kept in mind in carrying out re-
construction of physical wreckage on
extended and comprehensive lines.
First, men are being returned to
full military service, thereby salvag-
ing thousands for the country's fight
ing forces.
Second, men are returned to limited
military service, including those who
have had instruction to lit them for
specialized service, such a STEELE
graphy, typewriting, shoe repairing,
printing and other work;
Third, men who are being dis
charged from the military service
and returned to civil life, including
re-education cases, men whose re-
education, vocational, or otherwise,
is begun while they are still in the
hospital or the sanitorium, some of
them while they are still in bed.
Tbs. Division of Physical Recon
structiOn was created in the Surgeon
Generals Office as far gack as August,
1917. In October of that year sub
division OF education was established.
During the Fall and Winter months
this subdivision conducted a careful
survey of educational work among
disabled soldiers sin Canda and Eu-
rope. Reports and publications were
studied and conferences held with
vocational and medical officers Of the
Allied armise.
Also, the subdivision instituted two
investigations: First, of various in
dustries in their relation to available
employment for disabled soldiers; sec
ond. of the occupations of cripples in
he United States, thereby seeking to
etermine what could best be accom-
,ished for soldiers with different
.giJes of disabilities.
The first actual instruction work
was begin at United States General
Hospital No 2. Fl McHenry, Balti- !
more. Nd. 1t was followed by the !!
Of similar work at the
Walter Reed General Hospital, Wash