The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-07-29
Doing Greet
Work for Crippled
Montana Children

HELENA.-During the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1887, 159 children
from 48 counties received medical
or surgical care under the federal
and state crippled children's pro-
gram in Montana. These children
were treated for various crippling
conditions, both congenital and ac-
quired Twenty-seven were treat
ed for defects resulting from in
fantile paralysis. II received treat
ment for injuries resulting from ac-
cidents, IL were treated for bone
infection resulting from an inflama-
ton of the bone marrow. Other
conditions treated were. Perthe's
disease, /; tuberculosis of the hip, A.,
muscular dystrophy, 2; bone tu-
mors, 8, arthritis. 8, ricketts,, q, Erb's
palsy, l, scoliosis, 3, harelip, g.;
cleft palate 10; Wryneck, 4, club
feet, 20; deformities existing at
birth (congenital), IT; miscellane-
GUS, 20.
The number of hospital days re-
quired for the treatment of these
cases was 7,515. The total expendi-
ture for this disqualification was
SIS, 350.35. The surgical and medi-#
cal care for these cases came to a
total of $9,720.15. Braces, artificial
limbs, and other appliances pur-
chased through the state office cost
$1,300.08. Totalling these three
items we find that $36,370.58 was
spent in the actual care and treat
ment of crippled children in Mon
tana last year. The administration
expense of the program for the
same period of time was $8,629. AZ,
which included salaries of the di-
rectors of the program and clerical
help, travel expenses, equipment,
surgeons fees for diagnosis and
travel in connection with the dag
nostic clinics, etc. The total ex-
penditures for all purposes in SER
vices to crippled children through
the fiscal year thus aggregated
$4,000. One-half of this amount
was paid by the U. S. government
through the Children's Bureau. The
other half was paid from appropria-
tons made by the Montana Legis-
lative Assembly.
The administrative definition of a
crippled child in Montana has been
accepted as a physically handicapped
person who has not reached his 2lst
birthday, who by reason of certain
defects or deformities whether they
be congenital or acquired is, or
may become, handicapped for edu-
cation or remunerative occupation
and who can be benefited by medl-
cal or surgical care.
The program for the present year
contemplates some extension Of
work 1t is planned to hold lie
diagnostic clinics during the ensu-
ing year. These clinics will be sc
located that the entire state of Mon
tana will benefit by them. These
clinics are for the purpose of 10
eating crippled children, that those
who are eligible may be further
cared for. An orthopedic surgeon
examines the children who come
into these clinics and makes recon
mendations as to treatment in eaci
4 Individual case. No actual treat
ment is given at these clinics. The
4 purpose of the clinics is to find Wha
/ children can be helped through
surgery and disqualification. 1t i
also planned to employ one or tw'
orthopedic field nurses as soon a
properly qualified persons can b.
found and engaged. These nurse
must meet with minimum qualifica
tons prescribed by the Children
Bureau, Washington, d. c.