Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-04

Babies. tiny tots just learning to
walk, children OF school age, boys
and girls In their "teens' and several
older ones UP to 20 years Of age-all
with some cruel mal.formation of
bone or understanding from the en-
tire middle section Of Kennebec
county. were examined by DIR. e. G.
Abbott Of Portland, Dr. Allan Wood
cock OF Bangor and DR.. Harry w.
Lamb Of Portland at one Of the most
notable clinics ever held In this Sec
place Saturday at the Augusta Gen
eral hospital
Tears were mingled with smiles
many times during the clinic. which
lasted the entire day. The tears
were OF sympathy on the part of
those connected with the clinic a.
they tsnderiy ministered to the little
ones brought to the clinic by anxious
parents. The smiles were smiles Of
hope as the expert orthopedic sur
geofs gave thoughtful attention to
each case and outlined methods of
treatment which will make many of
again. Before great while they
will be able to run and play almost as
we'll as do their little playmates.
Practically every physician in Au-
gusta was in attendance at the elm
ic at some time during the day in
consultation with the visiting ex-
perts on cases In which they were
specially interested or discussing
other cases under examination.
All of the resources Of the hospital
including. waiting rooms. dressing
rooms. clinic equipment. the X-ray
and nursing stan were placed at the
disposal of the clinic by Miss TAFT,
the superintendent. Car after car
furnished BY members of the Angus
"a Rotary club transported many of
the children from their homes to the
hospital and back again during the
day. DR.. George A, Coombs, presi-
dent of the Augusta Public Health
Association and chairman of the
crippled children's clinic committee
was in attendance throughout the
day. Miss Jennie Bailantyne, the
Augusta public health nurse---assist-
ed by Miss Wynn, the Red Cross
nurse, and Mrs. Jones. the Metropoli-
animation and stenographers from
the Maine Public Health Association
served as secretaries to the visiting
surgeons. carefully noting the dag
nosis and recommendations in each
case. Members of the local parent
teacher associations and mothers
clubs served as a reception commit
tee and looked after the wants Of the
children and parents awaiting their
turn in the examination room.
A total of So cases were examined
during the day. In each case the
clinical findings were carefully noted.
Some OF the cases were designated
for the Children's hospital in Port
land. others will be cared for in Au-
gusta and still others will be given
treatment in their own homes.
Both DIR. Abbott and DIR. Woodcock
gave high praise to the manner in
which the arrangements for the elm
ic were handled and expressed the
belief that the great majority Of the
cases could be very much benefited
The clinic Saturday was entirely
diagpostic. but the recommendations
ried through to cures If possible, I'M
der the supervision of the several
agencies Of the State Department OF
Health, county and local organiza-
tions. who have interested themselves
in this worthy endeavor. State laws
provide in some measure the facili-
ties for assisting Names crippled
children to attain normally, and
where these provisions fall short of
the goal. plans are already formulat-
ing for other agencies to reinforce
the work OF the State department,
where necessary.
The entire good resulting from the
great congress of orthopedic experts
and their MANNED subjects cannot be
gagged at once. Only time can re-
veal the beneficient results. In some
cases 1t may be years before the eff
feet OF the prescribed treatment can
be justified. but the clinic is the start
and this first step In many cases Is
the most important, as the diagnosis
gave promise of improvement,
where before there was not even
hope.
The Augusta clinic Is one Of sew
eral that are being arranged inAvari-
Gus parts OF the State by tho Maine
Public Health Association. A similar
clinic 10 to be held in Skowhegan
during the first week in September
and one is to be held in Bangor
Sept. IL.