The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-07

1AAoVNAAC0 NY 4C0SA cSA 4dAANlc " 6A AA6 the amount available annually for the next two years to $120,000. Thereafter the annual outlay for care of crippled children will be about $80,000, Dr. Fuldner estim- ateS. More than half of the money will go for hospital and convales- cent care of patients, not including surgeons fees, although no lump sum can be donated to any agency or institution. If patients are treat ed in such institutions, payment will be made on case basis. Serv- ices rendered by physicians and surgeons will take about nine per cent of the total. Expenses incl dental to launching the program, in- cluding salaries of nurses and other staff members are 20 to 25 per cent of the annual total. The remainder will be spent for such items as brac- es and appliances, educational pamphlets, supplies for the diagnos- tic clinic and x-rays.
 Treatments
 Aim of the new Division of Crip- pied Children is to give care to ne- glected crippled children, especially indigent children. This entails finding the children, diagnosing their ailments, and giving operative and other types of treatment. Brac- es and similar appliances will be secured as needed, and treatment will be continued until maximum improvement has been attained or until the age limit of 21 years is reached.
 Types of cases to be treated in- clude the following: All orthopedic defects, including congenital de- formities, deformities resulting from old injuries, and disabilities arising from infantile paralysis, also, heart disease, rheumat tism, hare-lip and cleft palate. Acute conditions in general will not be treated, nor will enlarged tonsils, ruptures, nor de- fleets of the eye and ear. To be &C., cepted for treatment, a patient must be under 21 years of age and of sound mind, and his disability must be such as to give promise of improvement under care.
 Clinics
 Diagnostic clinics will be held a month, or more often if required, in convenient centers throughout the State. A deserving child com- ing to the clinic will be examined by the orthopedic surgeon in charge and treatment recommended. If parents cannot afford the treat ment, the division will asume that responsibility, supplying an oper- ation, course of muscle training or brace. Later care may be giv- en in the child's home by a public health nurse, in a convalescent home, or in return visits to the clinic. The division will not super wise or take over the work of other agencies for the care of crippled children, fact which Dr. Fuldner hopes will motivate public spirited citizens to continue their donations to such agencies. The division will care only for children who would otherwise be neglected. It will set up no hospitals, homes or other in- situtionS. Tuberculosis cases will be referred to the State Tubercu- losiS Commission.
 In no way, Dr. Fuldner points out, will the program encroach upon the private practice of medicine. Tn fact, the consent of a local physi- clan, preferably the family physi- clan, must be obtained before child can be cared for by the divis- ion of crippled children. Cases will be accepted only if they are unable to afford treatment by a private physician. Doctors will be asked to bring deserving children to the clinic whenever convenient and to use the clinic as source of con- sultation for such cases.
 Specialists
 Only recognized specialists ap- proved by the State Medical so- ciety will treat the children, and only hospitals approved by the American College of Surgeons will be used. A general advisory committee rep reSentlng a number of interested public agencies will give advice and guidance, and technical committee from the State Medical society will help preserve high professional standards.
 Dr. Fuldner urges all citizens to help by sending the name and ad- dres of any crippled child they know, together with the name of the family physician, to the divis- ion of crippled children, or. better stil. to the physician to have him write direct to the division, since his approval must be obtained. Citi- zens can also help in transporting children to the clinics, since no pro- vision can be made within the bud get for this service, nor for school ing, recreation, nor training in trades or vacations. Cooperation of public-spirited groups is needed to make the program a success, Dr.