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Rehabilitation Of The War Cripple

Creator: Douglas C. McMurtrie (author)
Date: Circa 1918
Publisher: Red Cross Institute for Crippled and Disabled Men
Source: Available at selected libraries

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ADDITIONAL copies of this pamphlet may be obtained without charge upon application to the Red Cross Institute for Crippled and Disabled Men, 311 Fourth Avenue, New York City. The Institute is also prepared to furnish specific information on the organization and method of re-educational work in the various belligerent countries, as well as on the technique of training and employment for industrial cripples. Correspondence with interested individuals or associations is invited.

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REHABILITATION OF THE WAR CRIPPLE

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ONE of the major costs of war consists in the thousands of crippled and disabled men which are left in its train. In the past, such soldiers have been indemnified for their injuries and insufficiently at best by pension bounty or admission to soldiers' homes. In either instance, they have been relegated to a life of idleness and dependence. These circumstances tend to make for general demoralization, and the popular conception of the adult cripple as lazy, ill-mannered, and intemperate has too often had considerable basis of experience. This situation has been regarded as unfortunate but inevitable. The cripple has been considered as a helpless member of society, to be pitied and maintained, but to whom constructive assistance was not feasible.

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This attitude is in process of change, for it has been demonstrated that the cripple, though debarred by his handicap from some occupations, could, almost without exception, be fitted by special training for some trades in which he could become self-supporting in spite of his disability. Several influences contributed to progress in this direction. In the first place the great increase in industrial activity during the past two decades brought about a corresponding increment in the number of employees crippled in work accidents. Injuries were particularly frequent in the period before the advent of the safety propaganda. Again, the state especially in Europe became intimately identified with workmen's compensation, and in many instances itself assumed responsibility for the payment of the compensation award.

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The waste involved in the complete support of thousands of workmen injured in more or less serious degree became soon apparent, and the authorities cast about for some means to decrease the percentage of disability. The solution was found notably in Belgium and France in trade schools for the re-education of the crippled victims of industrial accidents. In these schools the man who has lost the use of his leg is trained for a trade at which he can work while seated; the man lacking an arm is prepared for an occupation in which two legs and the sound arm suffice for its pursuit. Since the demand for skilled labor generally exceeds the supply, it is entirely practical to place at steady employment men trained thoroughly in a wisely selected trade. Of course there are many difficulties to overcome, but with patience, success is not only possible, but probable.

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The provision of training for disabled men received a tremendous impetus at the opening of the present war. With the call of the able-bodied population to arms, the ensuing shortage of labor necessitated the draft into industry of women and old men. No potential productivity could be neglected, and the rehabilitation of the physically disabled became a national necessity. The dictates of national gratitude and national economy in this instance coincided, and in conjunction have stimulated extensive and vigorous activity.

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The first country to make actual and adequate provision for the re-education of war cripples was France. In December, 1914, Edouard Herriot, Mayor of Lyons, obtained the consent of his municipal council to establish a training school for mutiles de la guerre. This school later christened the Ecole Joffre actually opened its doors to the first three pupils in the same month in which its foundation was authorized. Since then the institution has grown phenomenally, and a suburban branch has been opened at Tourvielle. These two centers have served as examples for other schools since started in other cities throughout the Republic.

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In England the early work was undertaken by private initiative, but the responsibility is now national, the reconstruction work being carried on under the direction and at the expense of the Pensions Ministry. Germany projected an ambitious program in the early weeks of the war, and made actual beginnings toward its realization but little later than the French work was under way. In Canada a federal commission began promptly the establishment of convalescent homes and training classes. In Italy, hard upon her entrance into the war, there were organized, to provide for the rehabilitation of crippled soldiers, a series of local committees which were later co-ordinated under national authority.

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Since the economic rehabilitation of men disabled in the war is a matter of such vital moment, not only to the individual but to the state as well, it is essential that any work undertaken be wise in plan, and thorough in execution. It may be desirable, therefore, to inquire into the principles already developed in this new and promising field.

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