Evening star., 1922-07-09
of the Veterans
Bureau

meal tickets. expense tickets and
thousand other things that the ordi-
nary physician seldom is called upon
to do. In odd moments time was found
for the rendering of medical opinions
to aid in the adjudication of claims for
compensation and Insurance purposes.
In July, 1919, Col. w. C. Rucker
was detailed from the United States
Public Health Service as chief of the
medical division. The number Of
physicians was increased, and the
group was assembled into an organ
lied unit and divided into sections
representing the several major elm
ical disease types. The routine tasks
previously performed by the doctor.
though not properly in his domain,
were delegated to other bureau divi-
sions. In fact, the entire medical
division had undergone a complete
change.
DR.. Haven Emerson was the next
medical adviser In charge of this sec
tion. On September 1, 1921, he was
succeeded by Col. Robert U. Patter-
son of the Regular Army, who was an
overseas veteran of the world war.
besides being a seasoned campaigner,N
having served in the Philippines.
Under the supervision of Col. Pat
terson the medical division was re-
organized to take care Of the numer-
Gus new functions necessarily as
sumed after the consolidation of gov
ernmental agencies under the United
States Veterans Bureau. which was
created by the act Of August 9, 1921,
to supersede the bureau of war risk
insurance and the federal board for
vocational education.
X #
T INDER Col. Pattersons administra-
- tion this division has reached It's
high tide of efficiency with regard
to both production and professional
accuracy. Col. Patterson. an able ad-
ministrator, with his enviable serv-
ice record in the Regular Army, in
spires his co-workers by his OPEN
mindedness, his fearless honesty, his
untiring labor and his unalloyed 10y
atty to those whom he serves and
those who serve with him. He has
caused to be established a board of
consultants in the medical division
for professional counsel. 1t is the
function Of the board to. confer upon
doubtful and disputed medical prob
lens, to investigate research work
Of treatment and policy as they affect
the medical aspects of compensation
cases.
Other new changes made by the
present assistant director in charge
of the medical division include a hos
pital inspection stan. 1t is the duty
Of this section to inspect all hospitals
under the bureau. The administra-
ton organisation of hospitals. in
GLIDING the ALLEGATION Of beds and the
supervision Of hospital treatment, is
directed by the hospital section.
There is also section known as
charge Of veterans of the allied
armies who have received treatment
In this country.
The professional, technical and
clerical personnel Of the medical di-
vision, both in the central office and
in the various district offices. is made
up preponderantly Of specially trained
men and women. assuring the. dis
abled veteran Of reasonable, honest
and sympathetic treatment and fair
and just consideration of requests. It
might be said of the medical division
that it is a servant Of grateful ma
tion, aiding in a proper, just and
equitable distribution Of benefits pro-
vided for men and women disabled in
the performance Of patriotic duty dur
ing the period Of extreme emergency
caused by the great world war.