The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-07-07
DISABLED VETS
SUFFER while
SOLONS FUSS
Majority Cases in Hospitals
are Tuberculars; 1926
Taking Treatment on
June 8, 1922.
LEGIONS CONTINUES
TO HAMMER AWAY
Brig. Gen. Sawyer Approves
Present Hospital Plans
and Methods.
BY Harry Il. Hunt

WASHlNqTON-Vi differences IN
viewpoint have been responsible for
the deadlock that has delayed provid.
Ing hospitals for disabled ex-service
men. Chief among these are:
ONE: Disagreement az to future
hospital requirements
TWO: Conflict over hospitallzing
men suffering from mental disorders or
tuberculosis In hospitals
THREE: Period within which men.
tai or tubercular ailments attributable
to army service may develop.
FOUR: When the peak OF the hos.
pital load may be expected.
Government hospitals developed dur
Ing the war and Immediately thereafter
were located. designed and equipped
primarily with a view to maximum ef-
nciency In treating general medical and
surgical cases.
The bulk OF patients now requiring
Republication. however. are either tu.
bercular or mental cases.
Patients Have Tuberculosis
Of 1926 veteran patients In the gov.
ernment's ss hospitals, on June s. 1922,
there were 1881 listed AZ tubercular
1915 as Hcuro-psychiatric or mental
cases, and $500 AZ general or surgical
In addition 903S men were distributed
among l27l state and private asylums
homes, sanitariums. infirmaries, etc. OF
these 4567 were mental cases.
Men committed 10 state and private
ssylums and institutions receive. for
most part. only "custodial care" which
means bed and board and roof over
their heads. They receive no treatment
or nursing or special care designed 10
check or cure their mental sickness.
In government hospitals. the most
skilled and scientific psychiatrists di-
rect the treatment and care OF the men
In addition TO the 45s7 mental cases
farmed out 10 n-government institu
tions, there are also cared for in con
tract hospitals at government expense
2Sll tubercular veterans and 1860 gen
ersl and surgical cases.
Tubercular and mental cases. present
figures show. constitute three-fourths
OF the cases now being hospitaiized.
Approves Present Hospitals
General Charles h Sawyer. personal
physician 10 the president and head OF
the Federated Board OF Hospitalization
holds the View that existing hospitals
to the extent OF their bed capacity, are
satisfactory places Tor the treatment OF
the tubercular and insane men.
And as there are now more than 5000
vacant beds In the governments ss
hospitals. he believes these should be
utilized before additional millions are
spent in providing new hospitals spe
cially designed for tubercular and men
tai cases. For these views he has won
the support OF President Harding.
DR.. Sawyer has become convinced
that the peak OF disqualification require
msnts has been reached II not already
passed.
following survey in the IA rehabilita
ton districts, declare thousands Of mer
are declining to apply for hospitaliaa
tion and are being cared for In their
homes because proper new hospitals
have not been provided.
The American Legion already has
served notice that II will make a fight
for amendment OF the law which fixes
two years after discharge as the leSa
limit within which active tuberculosis
must develop In order to be rated a,
traceable to service.