The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-01-17

man of the United States is given
the best opportunities to make a
complete rehabilitation before be-
ing returned to duty or, as is hap
DR.. Clendening will answer
questions of general interest
only, and then only through
his column.
pening more and more frequently,
10 civil life. Over 100000 men are
participating in reconditioning in
the army hospitals alone.
The Reconditioning Program is
divided into four main phases:
physical, educational, occupational
and reffeational.
Physical Program
The physical part of the pro-
gram does not stop at the use Of
medical and surgical methods Of
treatment. If the man is confined
TO bed but is physically sound in
most ways, as would be the case
with one in a cast or treated for
leg or arm wound, bed exercises
are begun as soon as possible, de-
signed to keep him in good muscu-
lar tone.
As the mans strength increases,
and he gets out of bed, these exer-
cises are increased gradually in
frequency and amount, and sup
plemented whenever possible by
games and sports. Of course, the
use Of massage and passive exer-
cises are begun at the earliest pos
sible moment.
Recreation Phase
At the same time recreation, de-
signed to keep the mind from
breeding on inconsistencies and how
long the war is going to last, is
intensively stressed. 1t is unnec-
essary TO dwell on this very much
for the magazines are full of pic
lures Of camp shows and ping pong
games, etc, wherever American
forces are stationed. But the value
ofthem cannot be overemphasized.
| rather wish some organization
would start them for the civilian
population.
But the value Of these is, to my
mind. really less important than
the educational and occupational
features of reconditioning.
The educational program is pri-
marily designed to effect orienta-
tation to personal problems. II
you really want to know what a
soldier or sailor worries about,
leave your home and family and
60 down in the forests of Missouri
or Arkansas, tear up your railroad
ticket and stay there six or eight
months. You will wonder about
plenty of things.
These people have left life be-
hind them when they were pretty
young, in the middle of their in
completed education. II would in
crease the tragedy Of this war a
billion times II we brought back
men and women and sent them into
life with their basic education only
half over.
Oceupational Reconditioning
Occupational reconditioning is
even more important. Most of US
have to work with our hands.
Most of us indeed are not fitted
for any other kind of work. And
we cannot leave it TO haphazard
chance to find a suitable occupa-
ton after the service man has been
returned to civil surroundings
after all that period of his life
when he would be learning a
skilled trade is over.
Firing a machine gun or locat-
ing mines are not professions that
are going to do him much good in
the United States in 1850, and
even the possibilities Of naviga-
ton and aviation are limited. The
returning service man must De
ready to exercise the skills Of the
machinist and the artisan that will
be useful in a new world.
Reconstruction Ahead
So mere medical and surgical
skill are not enough for our pro-
gram Of the reconstruction and re-
conditioning of the men and women
who have done our battling. Even
with all the programs | have men,
toned it will be a tough row they
have to hoe and tough on those of
us who have stayed at home too.
We must face it in the traditional
American spirit Of resourcefulness
and commonsense.