Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1938-04-28


by the Legionnaires of Montgomery
County in 1885 disclosed that the
State of Maryland and some of the
counties were assisting or planning
to assist its deaf, blind, imbecile and
ether unfortunate children, yet max
ing no plans in behalf of the crippled
child, a committee was appointed to
continue the study of the crippled
child.
| In January 1886 the Montgomery
County Council of the American Le-
gion organized an Orthopedic Com
mittee, which was the first organized
movement in the county to assist the
crippled child. This committee as
sumed the responsibility of taking
care of the crippled child.
The first orthopedic fund ever es-
tablished in Montgomery County was
created in 1886 by the Montgomery
County Council.
Since the organization of the COM
mittee and the creation of the fund
the orthopedic committee has been
continuing this work to help those
that need help.
The first clinic was held at the
Montgomery County General Hospital
al Sandy Spring on April Both, 1886
This clinic was attended by 35 patti
ents. Since the first clinic, clinics have
been held every four months.
Two hundred and twenty-seven
children have attended the clinics. The
patients presented the usual prob
lens: conditions resulting from in
fantile paralysis, diseases of the
bones, birth injuries, accidents, con-
genital malformations, ricketts,, etc.
One received an artificial limb, num-
Der leg braces, a number required
specially built shoes and braces others
required surgery and disqualification.
Many have been discharged as cured;
81 remain under observation.
The orthopedic work is divided into
three sections:
Field Investigation and case work.
2 Medical
8 Transportation
Description of above:
l The nurses of montgomery
County Health Department. have
made 293 visits to crippled children.
Many require repeated home and elm
lie visits before their confidence is
gained. The County Health Depart
ment aids in findings cases, in CO.
ordinating the various services IN
making clinic schedules, appointments
and home visits to aid the patients in
following the clinician's orders more
effectively.
The Social Service League makes
Investigations and recommendations
through its trained workers whenever
the economic needs of patient should
llbe determined.
2 Medical, Clinics, disqualification.
The clinics are held at the Mont
gomery County General Hospital. The
members of the staff have always
been helpful in providing place and
other facilities for the clinic patients
and personnel.
The Maryland League for crippled
children provide stenographic and
other services and the State Depart
n,ent of Health provides the cliniciar
and orthopedic nurse.
Transportation:
Any patient who is unable to furnish
his own transportation is transported
by the First Aid Corps of the Mont.
gomery County Council of the Ameri
can Legion. This corps is composed
of Legionnaires, members of theil
families, friends Of the Legion ant
those interested in orthopedic work
This corps transports patients to ant
from hospitals, special clinics, sho'
shops and bracemakers as well as t.
and from the regular clinics.
Any crippled child in Montgomery
County is welcome to attend the elm
lie. Most patients are referred by mem
bers of the Montgomery Health De
partment, County Medical Society VIII
wish consulting service, the Boarc
of Education, the Social Service Lea
que, and interested individuals. The!
come from every district of tn
county.
The orthopedic work is not finished
at the end of clinic day. The patti
ents wear out and outgrow shoes
braces and other equipment.
A number of children are receiving
service continuously, either for i'm
proving or alleviating their condition
There are two who have been mos
consciously helped through surger.