Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1919-11-20

aminations of these claimants and to
prepare the certificates of disability
which will be a protection In years
to come, even though they may not be
in need of compensation or medical
and surgical attention at the present
time.
More than 5000 cases pass through
the medical division every working
day, action being had on one case every
four seconds. When the case reaches
the section to which it is routed, it is
carefully reviewed by medical officers
of the United States public health
service specially trained in such work.
Variety in Demands.
In one instance it is necessary to
rate the degree Of disability; in an
other, to order an artificial arm; in
another, to pay bill for the repair of
teeth; this patient is to be admitted
to sanatori I'M; that unfortunate boy
whose reason has been rocked by the
laundering engines Of war must be
committed to an institution. Here the
mother of an epileptic requires con-
selling letter; there some officer in the
field must be Informed regarding the
special needs in some particular case.
The cases pass to the various Sec
tons for action, and from them back
to the mail room and to the other di-
visions in the bureau for such further
action as may be necessary. 1t will
be readily understood that one ham
ding does not suffice for given case.
Each must be gone over many, many
times, and will be gone over many,
many more times in the succeeding
years.
100000 Taken Care Of.
This explains why, although more
than 5000 cases are being admins
tered each day. only some 100000 diff
ferent individuals have been the re-
cipients of the ministrations Of the
medical division. OF these, more than
Is per cent were suffering from wounds
incident to their military service; al
most Is per cent were the victims Of
tuberculosis, and not quite IL per cent
were afflicted with temporary or per-
manent mental disorders about per
cent were gassed; per cent had res
piratory affections other than tuber-
culosis, and 2 per cent were paralyzed.
About 1900 Of these cases have been
treated in hospitals and about 1000
men are undergoing hospital treatment
att the present time.
It should be borne in mind that
these cases represent less than l per
cent of the total number of men in
service during the war with Germany.
The total strength of the army,
navy and marine corps to November
II, 1918, was 4,791,172. All Of these
are potentially patients of the bureau
Of war risk insurance.
It is estimated at the present time
that at least 641 900 men were dis
charged from military service with
some disability. Estimates which
have been prepared by the chief med
ical adviser on 513,50O Of these men
show that about Is per cent Of these
cases Of disability are due to diseases
of the nervous system or mental aren-
ation-about $4,000 cases. Thirteen
per cent suffer from diseases Of the
circulatory system and almost Ii per
cent from diseases of the bones and
organs of locomotion, and at least 8
per cent, or about $4,000. have tubercu-
losis.
Humanity in the Raw.
To follow up series Of these cases
through the division and see the way
in which they are handled is to come
into intimate contact with humanity
in the raw. Within the brick-red
fiber folder with it's scarlet edge are
encompassed the records of the most
important happenings of many life.
Here are certificates of birth, mar
riage and death, records of military
service, reports Of physical examina-
tons, treatments received, operations
performed, and letters from parents.
wives, relatives and friends. In fact,
it would be possible to write the COM
plete biography of many man from
the data collected in this one small
space.
Side by side, and handled in exact
ly the same way, are the cases Of col
onels, captains, corporals; white men.
colored men and Indians; men who
know no English-men who are Hitter
ate, and men who have received their
education at the finest institutions Of
learning in the world. The case of a
"marinette'' is beside that of ma
jor general, while that of a nurse is
next in order to that of private whom
she nursed back to life. They have,
however, one thing in common: they
have suffered a hurt in the service Of
their country. Very seldom indeed do
they try to get more than their just
dues, and many times they state that
they do not wish compensation, all
that they require being an opportunity
to be cured of their diseases or healed
of their wounds, SO that they may pur-
sue again their peacetime avocation.
Approximately $500 major amputa-
lions have occurred as a result of the
war with Germany