Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-10-21
Children of All Ages Given
Free Treatment at All Day
Clinic at Sisters Hospital
Cure and Relief to Follow in
80 Per Cent of Cases Exam
ined - Under Direction
Maine Public Health AssO-
citation
Special to Kennebec JournaN

Especial to Kcnnebec JournaD
Waterville. Oct. 2O-One of the
most successful free clinics for Grip
pied children ever held in the State
of Maine. according to State health
workers who were present. took
place today at the Sisters hospital.
The clinic was the fifth Of series on
behalf of Names crippled children
which is being conducted under the
auspices of the Maine Public Health
Association.
Assisted by q committee from the
Waterville Rotary club, Miss Amelia
Dakin. the NJ. p. IL. A. public health
nurse who Is in charge Of the asso-
cations branch office, listed and
brought into the clinic total of 81
crippled children from the northern
section of Kennebec county.
The children ranged in age all the
way from infants in arms to young
sters in their teens. Many of them
had been cruelty afflicted by infan-
tile paralysis. Others were suffer-
ing from club feet. misplaced mus
Giles and joints twisted by accident
or disease.
In scores of cases the children were
accompanied to the clinic by anxious
faced parents. hoping that the ver-
dict of the doctors might be n favor
able one. In nearly every instance
their hopes came true. At least 80
percent Of the cases can be helped
through careful treatment, according
to DR.. +. G. Abbott of Portland, who
, is medical director of crippled chill
dren's clinics for the Maine Public
Health Association. and his colleague.
DIR. Allan Woodcock' of Bangor. All
day long, from early morning until
late in the afternoon, the rooms on
the fourth floor of the hospital were
crowded by the clinic children and
their parents.
Every convenience of the hospital
was placed at the disposal of the
clinic by the hospital. Many cases
We're X-rayed during the eXamina-
ton and two examining rooms were
busy throughout the day. A number
Of local doctors were in attendance,
several of them bringing cases of
their own for consultation.
Certain cases needing special care
were TeleIItu ~ the uOS
pital at Portland. Others will be Wis
tied in their homes for treatment
such as massage. recommended by
the clinicians. In some cases simple
advice was given the parents with
regard to the diet. More than once
during the day, the clinic became the
scene of great dramatic interest.
youngsters who had never walked or
who were able to walk only with the
greatest difficulty and who were ac-
companied by sad faced parents,
were pronounced as cases which
would yield to treatment. AS the
parents were assured that their little
ones could be made almost as strong
and vel as children which never had
been stricken by Gripping disease or
accident, tears of joy would come to
their eye and heart stirring smiles
would tighten up the hospital corri-
GoIs. More than one mother was
heard to breathe n prayer of thank
fulness and more than one father
went home last night with a joy in
his heart that he had not felt for
years.
Mr.. Herbert Emery. chairman OF
the Rotary club committee which
helped round up the cases and pro-
vide transportation for them to and
from the clinic, was in attendance at
the hospital throughout the day. Miss
Dakin. and Miss Maud Smart Of tie
Maine Public Health Association
staff as well az other representatives
OF the association were on duty.
carrying out the plans for the clinic
IN every detail. l. n. Koonz. who is
in charge Of the rehabilit ton work
of the state Department OF Educa-
ton was present all day to select the
cases in which hts department may
be OF assistance.
The "follow-up' work as the result
of the clinic will begin today and will
he continued until all the cases have
been attended 20. repre- entatives ef
the Maine Public Hath Association
announced here tonight.