The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-16
CANADA CARES FOR ALL
ILL AND MANNED SOLDIERS
Department of Civil Reestablishment Organizes Sys-
tenn That Gives Practical Aid and Also
Encourages Self-Help.

The Medical Branch is charged with
the care of hospitals and sanatoria,
maintains clinics, and offers, through its
representatives, free medical service to
all ex-members of the forces for q period
OF a year after discharge. There is an
OrthopRdic and Surgical Appliances Sec
ton Of the branch, organized to provide
necessary artificial limbs and ortho-
pedic boots and appliances and to main
tain these articles in repair during the
lifetime of those who require them.
The Vocational Branch has charge of
the occupational therapy or curative
training, and the Industrial retraining
Of those so injured through war service
as to be unable to follow previous occu-
pations.
The Information and Service Branch
maintains numerous offices throughout
Canada to answer inquiries and to place
the former soldier and sailor in touch
with employment opportunities.
Medical Branch All Embracing.
In dealing with the medical care of
the soldier after discharge the Medical
Branch has the following functions:
Care OF all cases of pulmonary tupercu-
losis, care of the permanently insane,
epileptics and feeble minded. care of
requiring institutional treatment, medi-
| cal supervision of the manufacture and
supply of orthopRdic appliances, both
major and minor oversight of recur-
rences of war disabilities, medical care
| of men undergoing industrial retaining,
| treatment of venereal cases contracted
during or previous to war service, dental
care Of (a) ex-members OF the forces
| undergoing industrial retaining; CD
n cNaa tn cft tt,Nin - NtN
and (c) ex-members OF the forces who
have dental defects due to service !;
treatment of out patients.
The head Office of the medical branch
is at Ottawa, and the units are estab-
lished at various centres correspondents
approving tely to the military districts
Each Of the units has unit medical d.
rector at the head office of tina. unit.
assistant unit medical directors at the
| suo-offices of the unit, and the necessary
| medical STAFF to carry out medical ex-
animation and clinical treatment The
size OF the staff varies, naturally, Will,
the size of the unit, but practically
every unit mas at least the following
For administrative purposes, a unit med
cal director and two or more assistants;
or medical examinations and treatment,
I specialist in diseases Of the chest: a
pecialist in diseases of the eye, ear.
| nose and throat; surgeon, a physician
md an orthopedic surgeon. In the
larger centres, such as Toronto. Mon
treal, Winnipeg and Vancouver, a gem
ito-urinary specialist has been ap-
pointed
A dispensary is conducted at the head
Office OF each unit, with a physician in
charge and masseurs or masseuses on
| duty Here the men may be examined
ana receive medical and surgical treat
ment for minor ailments. Medicine is
dispensed when required and orthopedlc
appliances are fitted.
For the benefit of ex-members of the
| forces residing in towns situated far
distant from the head office of the units,
| local medical representatives have been
appointed.
Members OF the forces who developed
tuberculosis while on service, immedi-
ately upon diagnosis were transferred
| by the military authorities to the de-
partment of soldiers civil re-establish-
| ment and then sent to one of the various
| sanator.a under the direction of the
| department
1t was early recognized that patients
| in sanatoria found the time dragging
| heavily during the idle hours, and for
this reason ward occupations were In
troduced by the vocational branch OF the
| department. Such work as basket
! weaving. TOW making, painting light
| cabinet making and other useful handi-
| crafts have been taught continuously. In
struction is also given In stenography,
commercial practice, bookkeeping, drafts
manship, &C All work of this nature
is subject to the advice Of the medical
superintendents of sanatoria, to insure
| for each patient such occupation as will
best assist in the completion OF his cure
Factory for Artificial Limbs.
A factory for the manufacture of ar
tihcial limbs and appliances has been
| established at Toronto, and depots have
been opened at various centres, so that
men needing further attention may re-
ceive 1t and also obtain requirements
and repairs. To secure the best results
| 1t was decided that IL would be better
for the department to engage in the
manufacture of such appliances than to
purchase them from private firms. The
highest skill available was secured for
this work, and only the best possible
material is used. so that high standard
has been established and is being main
tanned.
|, Not only are artificial limbs made by
the department less expensive and more
satisfactory than privately manufactured
, articles, but an added advantage Of this
policy Is that with a standardized type
II Is possible TO maintain throughout
Canada depots for the maintenance and
repair of these appliances under the
supervision of the department. At pres.
ent there are twelve Of these depots
|, throughout the country, thus obviatine
, long trips, with consequent loss of time
for those ex-members OF the forces who
require adjustment or repair of appli.
ances that have been furnished to them
| free.
An experimental branch Is constantly
engaged in devising and developing new
designs and improvements on existing
appliances.
[Tho second and concluding portion
OF Sir James Lougheeds article will
appear in the Canadian Section of TIL
SUN for Sept. 2S.-EDIToRl
Lumber Shipments Heavy.
VANCOUVER, b. c., Sept. 15.-TwentS
million feet OF lumber was shipped b,
sea from British Columbia mills during
August, the larger proportions going q
England and other parts OF Europe, blu
considerable quantities going to China
Australia and South and Central Amer
lea. These figures do not include guam
4 titles OF shingles and other forest prod
. lucts such as wood pulp and paper.