New-York tribune., 1919-02-16
World Body to
Aid i'm Cure of
Mental Defects
Shell Shock Experts Form
international Committee
to Assist All Countries
To Cooperate in Efforts
Studies Made at Sing Sing
and New York Show Need
of Work Among Children

Cooperation among French, English,
Italian, Canadian and American nsv-
chlatrlStS and neurologists in the treat
nient OF war neuroses popularity called
shell shock, helped to open the way for
the launching of an international Com
mlttee for Mental Hygiene, whose chief
object will be to bring into existence
II various countries National Commit
tees for Mental Hygiene similar to the
enc established in this country ten
Years ago and the one established IN
1anada not quite year ago. Clifford
w Beers. originator of the National
committee for Mental Hygiene in the
United States and largely responsible
for the Canadian National Committee
for Mental Hygiene, formulated the
plan
At q meeting held at the home nf
Dr. Walter B. James, East Seventeen
street. Professor Stephen P. Duggan.
of the College of the City of New
York, was appointed chairman of the
organizing committee with power to
name other members and to proceed
with the completion of the organiza-
tion. Mrs. Elizabeth Milbank Ander-
son. of New York. has made an initial
gift for the preliminary expenses Of
the international committee Mrs.
Anderson and Mrs. William x. Van
derbilt for several years have each
contributed $4,000 year toward the
general expenses of the National
Committee for Metal Hygiene, whicn
has Offices ct SO Union Square.
Will Have Many Committees
''The international committee" said
MIR. Beers yesterday, will have as its
chief object the orgaization of IA
tional committees in all important
countries. Interest in establishing
such an agency has already beel
shown in England and one of the first
moves that will be made will be the
appointment of a number o. represent
ative Englishmen as members of the
international committee, together with
groups of representative Canadians
and Americans As soon as contacts
can be established, groups of represent
ative people in France ana Italy will
be added to the membership of the IN
ternational committee.
at is then planned that at the invita-
ton of groups in these various coun-
tries representatives of the 1nterna-
tional Committee will visit them for the
purpose of assisting in the establish
ment of national committees. These or
CARNATIONS Will then develop the work
along their own lines in a way best
suited to meet local conditions. The In
ternational Committee will serve as
coordinating agency and clearinghouse
for all national committees. thus en-
abing all countries 10 benefit by the
progress made in any given country
with reference to all problems relating
20 mental health and modern care and
treatment for persons suffering from
nervous and mental disorders and men
tai deficiency
"As far away as South Africa re-
quests have come for literature and ad-
vice regarding the problem of feeble
mindedness and the plans for organiz-
ing agencies to deal with this and re-
lated problems Physicians in Japan
are already interested in the work of
the National Committee in this country.
War Stimulated Interest
As a result of the war. of course,
keen interest in mental hygiene probN
lens exists in France and Italy No
country can manage its various social
problems unless the mental factors in
volved are given des erved consideration.
Indeed, mental hygiene agencies are in
dispensable social agencies in any coun-
try that desires to be progressive.
ASIDE from serving as a centre for
the gathering and dissemination OF non
tee4iilicdi iHAOlHaliou regarding mental
health. mental and nervous disorders
and feeble -mlndedness, the National
Committee has conducted special studies
and surveys on the care and treatment
OF the insane and feeble-minded. 1t has
ALSO made studies in the psychopathol-
oey Of crime and has carried on work
Tor the adoption of uniform statistics
on mental diseases throughout the coun-
try. Another important special activity
Is war and reconstruction work, by
means of which, in cooperation with the
Surgeon General OF the army. modern
care and treatment for cases of mental
and nervous disorder in the army has
been provided both at home and over
seas.
Surveys on the care and treatment