Library Collections: Document: Full Text

BY DOUGLAS C. McMURTRIE
Director, Red Cross Institute for Crippled and Disabled Men
President, Federation of Associations for Cripples
Editor, American Journal of Care for Cripples

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY JEREMIAH MILBANK
Vice-Chairman, Committee of Direction
Red Cross Institute for Crippled and Disabled Men

TO THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS GONE OUT TO FRANCE TO RISK PHYSICAL DISABILITY IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM AND RIGHT

CONTENTS

ILLUSTRATIONS

INTRODUCTION

There has been evidenced in the past but scant public concern in the welfare of the disabled. It is probable that one reason for this has been the failure to advocate, in popular form, the logic of the arguments in favor of rehabilitation for self-support -- arguments which have only to be made clear to meet with cordial and hearty acceptance. It is my hope that the present volume will go far to promote understanding of the real needs of disabled men, and enlist public interest in the cause of reconstruction.

When the preparation of this book was first proposed, I urged that the project be carried through. That I was asked to write the introduction is presumably because of my connection with the Red Cross Institute for Crippled and Disabled Men, which was established in the spring of 1917 as the first specialized trade school in the country for the handicapped adult.

One of the greatest problems to be met in the successful establishment of any new institution is the selection of a competent director. The Institute was peculiarly fortunate in securing for this position the services of a man so well qualified by experience and training as Douglas McMurtrie. For the past eight years he has devoted a large part of his time and effort to study of the obstacles and prejudices that confront the disabled man, and the means of overcoming them. This interest has culminated in the unselfish devotion of himself, his time, his energy, and his enthusiasm to the many and complex activities of the institution which he so ably directs.

Under his leadership the Institute has already proved its value and assumed an important position in the field of rehabilitation and re-education. His reward, while not pecuniary, will be the everlasting gratitude of that great army of unfortunate individuals who have formerly been derelicts on the rough seas of misfortune, but to whom now has been given a greater opportunity to face the future with hope and courage.

Jeremiah Milbank

PREFACE

In any new science there are few books but a great multiplicity of pamphlets, periodical articles, and reports which baffle the reader who seeks to learn the state of knowledge on the subject. The rehabilitation of the disabled soldier is no exception to this rule and it has been necessary to go through hundreds of documents of an ephemeral nature to gain a clear idea of what principles have been developed and how these principles are actually being put into practice.

This volume aims to present for the general reader such a statement of theory and practice. In view of the extent of the field requiring to be covered, the treatment is necessarily elementary. But in view of the wide public interest in the future of the disabled soldier, and the manner in which the new reconstructive work of redeeming injured men from the social and economic scrap-heap has laid hold on the popular imagination, it is felt the book may meet a distinct need.

The book is entitled for the sake of brevity "The Disabled Soldier." It might more properly be named "The Disabled Soldier, Sailor, and Marine," for in all countries the same opportunities are extended to the members of all branches of the belligerent service. The word "soldier" in the text should always be read, therefore, with this qualification in mind.