The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-03-11

state pitiful condition existed which
had baffled the efforts of the town of
ficials for IA years but which was
completely remedied by the machin-
cry of this department. An aged
mother was living in one Of the in
stitution with two daughters. The
oldest daughter, said to be over so
years of age, had been bedridden
from birth and helpless invalid; the
other, about 80 years old, was sub
iect to epileptic fits, and often struck
either the mother or the invalid sis
ter All were mentally subnormal and
much charity that was bestowed up
on them was wasted. The case was
thoroughly investigated by officers
connected with the board and settled
by having the aged mother sent to the
hospital in the town, the younger
daughter to the asylum at Waterbury,
! and the older one to a private retreat.
There was no complaint as to their
treatment at the poorhouse, where
everything possible was done for
them, but until the board took the
case in hand the family could not be
separated and the problem solved.
Secretary Jeffrey calls attention in
his report TO the need Of Vermont
charging it's field for caring for tie
Predetermined so as to embrace all
feeble-minded females of child-bcar-
ing age.
Under the law now in force only
feebleminded children can be COM
mitted to the state school at Brandon.
1t is interesting to note in this con-
nection that the legislature of our
sister state, New Hampshire, in
1917 made provision for charging its
institution for feeble-minded children
so as to accommodate all feeble
minded females of child-bearing age.
This is a matter which the legisla-
ture may proftably consider and the
need of such an institution cannot be
too strongly emphasized In the days
when efficiency is stressed we should
see to it that any means that will
help make the inefficient woman an
efficient factor Of our states activity
should receive the most thoughtful
consideration Of the law-making body.
While greatly hampered in its work
for dependent children by lack of
funds it is gratifying to know that
private individuals helped in the
splendid work of remedying physical
defects in the little folks. On this
point Secretary Jeffrey says:
The governor sent letters to a num-
Der of philanthropically disposed cit
liens of the state, calling attention to
the situation and the need of funds.
There was contributed, as a result Of
! these letters, over $4,000, which was
set apart as the Governors Special
Fund" for use in such medical and
surgical cases as are thought proper.
This fund is held by and expended I'M
der the direction of special commit
tee, appointed by the governor and
consists of three representative per-
sons outside the board.
Up to the time of submitting this
report, SIS cases, ranging from defec-
tive tonsils to major operations, have
been reported, Fl of which have been
successfully operated on.
It seems to me, after all, that this
is the greatest achievement of the
Board of Charities and Probation,
and | only hope that the legislature
will not permit private individuals to
support it, but will make generous
appropriation for it's continuance
from state funds. "Of how much
more value is man than a Sheep"
What finer work can we do as state
than make boys and girls whole and
hearty by proper medical care or sur
gical operations? The illustrations
accompanying this article speak for
themselves. The happy expressions
on the faces, the wholesome appear
ance of the recreated child are living
testimonials of the good that has been
accomplished. Secretary Jeffrey says
in his report that the board feels par
ticularly satisfied with this work. And
well they may AS a citizen of the
state | am proud of what has been
done to make life worth living for
young and old by this newly-created
board. We have been fighting over
seas to make the world safe for all /
who love liberty and we haYe won, !