New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-06-16
n TACTICAL experience of the war
shows that the degree to which

\ shows that the degree to which
soldier can recover is in large
measure a question of his state Of
mind; and his state of mind is usually
q reflection of the state Of mind Of his
wife OF his mother. Women have al
ways known in q general way that men,
tai attitude has much to do with a
patients recovery in ordinary illness.
Now we see that the same thing 10
true of the man who has contracted
tuberculosis, has been blinded, has lost
an arm or a leg, or is suffering from
any Of the physical or mental diseases
that war leaves in it's wake. For hope
Of his future lies in making him believe
he has future. His return to useful
activity depends on his own conviction
that he can be useful. The instant he
Is content to be an invalid he will be-
come and remain an invalid.
To prevent his losing hope, to keep
up his sense Of responsibility, is in the
power of his womankind. That is why
1t is necessary that every woman who
has man on the other side should
understand what the government is
trying to do for him, why it s doing
1t, and how she can help.
First of all she ought to know that
each mans pension will be continued
however little or much he progresses
on the road to health and self-support.
The government does this not only from
a sense of justice. but because, know
ing that recovery is largely mental
state, it realizes that it would be set
ting up an obstacle if 1t should pen
alize man for recovering by taking
away or even decreasing his pension.
Then, women should see that the
government is doing this for the sake
of the wounded men themselves. Pro-
lection of the health of soldiers while
they are part Of the fighting force is
for the sake Of the army. But this
resducation Of wounded men fer civil
life Is done In the interest Of the in
dividuai. In past times, government. g
have found it cheaper to entomb such
men In institutions for incurables and
in soldiers homes-to pay them their
pensions and forget about them. The
present idea is that the country owes
them more than their pensions; it owes
them the fullest possible return to a
normal life.
But in order to return the soldier to
! norma s1 NJ
tain control of him beyond the military
hospitai. There must first come bed
side treatment, of course---the direct
medical or surgical treatment for the
disease or wound; then the special
treatment necessary to at him for his
selected occupations then, outside the
hospital, his training In o vocationsl
school, and then ct last his entrance
upon his Industrial lob.
In every step the help Of women Is
essential; not only In cheering him dur
!, ing the FIRST STAGES, hut In encouraging
him to follow patiently and exactly the
I detei! Of hjs Trainings routine more
wearisome to many natures than fight
ing.
| Our government asks that we use cur
love 70 strengthen the will Of our
wounded--not TO weaken Il. This may
sound like harsh thing to say to q
| woman who has sent out q strong
| healthy man and receives him back
blinded or crippled, until we remember
that the object Of it Is to cave the sol.
! der and to keep alive In him the cour.