South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-16


er her bowed legs were starightene
a place TO get fixed up" yhetherl
Il be the strengthening OF a bowed
leg. treatment OF a paralyzed limb,
removal OF tonsiIs. or just getting
something good 10 eat-that Is the
way mothers and children OF the
west section OF the city have come
10 regard the Chihren's Dlspen-
sary and hospital at 1910 W. Divf-
sion 81. 1t is because Of the growing
popularity Of the services offered
that the present building has grown
too small for the demand upon It's
facilities and the board Of directors
is considering ways and means or
securing a larger and more com
pletely equipped building.
The clinics, which are held at
regular intervals. and TO which are
brought children with all sorts Of
ailments and needs. have grown
rapidly IN size, so that now, accord
ing to those IN charge. the space Is
much too limited for the accom-
mediation Of those who apply for
aid
The dispensary was started in
1909 II was conceived by DR.. c.
r Hansel, now deceased, when his
own daughter was seriously III. Az
first the dispensary was open only
a short time each day, when moth
ers were given instructions as TO
the care and feeding OF their chill
dren. Two years later a nurse was
put in charge Of the work. and the
dispensary was open all day. In
1914 the work was reorganized un-
der the name Of the Children's Free
Dispensary and Hospital Assn.
and Il has continued 20 grow since
that time. Many different phases OF
medical attention are now offered
including pediatr1c, dental, ortho-
dolic, Orthopedic, eye. ear, nose.
and throat treatments. with minor
operations. There are 25 doctors
on the staff end two assistants In
orthopedics. The superintendent IN
charge Of the work is assisted By
two trained nurses and a medical
trained social service worker.
The largest attendance IN one
month was in March, 1922, when
$40 patients were cared for. Since
the decision 10 perform minor op-
eratlons az the dispensary in Janu-
airy. 100 patients have been oper-
ated upon
Many cases, interesting both from
a scientific and human standpoint,
are treated during the clinics 10
which are brought babies and older
children OF varied types and nation
alities. One of the recent cases IL
the Strengthening OF the bowed
legs Of a little negro girl. a little
over two years OF age. The legs
were broken IN several places and
reset. with the result that the
chNd's legs are now very nearly as
straight as those OF any normal
child. Although hardly old enough
20 appreciate the meaning OF what
was being done, the youngster kick
ed gleefully when the bandages
we're removed. The mother found
Z difficult 10 express her Joy. She
had been reluctant 10 subject her
daughter 20 what she thought was
a dangerous and painful experience,
but the work Of the dispenSary has
won her and she IS now an ardent
booster
Whole hearted expressions OF ap-
proval come also from the children
Old enough 20 realize the good that
IS being done for them. At the last
o-thopedic clinic a boy OF Is was
given braces for mis- legs. deformed
after a case Of infantile paralysis.
They are fine braces" said the
doctor. They were made just 10
At you Charles. and they cost $50
Are you going 20 take good care OF
IN amp"
"You bet" was the reply. as
Charles smiingly stroked the shin
ing metal that was 10 help him TO
walk
That too much care is taken OF
scC'e things 10Y children or parents
who want 20 make them last as long
as nos sib BE was shown in the case