Conference of Officers in Charge of Government Hospitals Serving Veterans of the World War
History
Conference of Officers in Charge of Government Hospitals Serving Veterans of the World War
Medicine, Military; Military hospitals; World War, 1914-1918 -- Veterans -- Medical care -- United States
The question of vocational training is also a big problem in connection
with this type of disability. A man, for example, whom I saw a few weeks
ago, had been a jewelry polisher in Boston. Before the war he had to get
up every morning early and go to his work. He gave most of his earnings
to his family. He was suddenly taken out of that situation by the draft
and put into a situation where it was simple for him. All he had to do
was to get up and move around when some one told him to. He was
furnished with his clothing; he was furnished with his food. When he got
over on the other side he painted a rosy picture about how things were
at home. When he got back home it was not like what he imagined it was.
He had to get up and go back to his old job. It was hard for him to make
the effort. He quit his job. He goes to the Vocational people (he had a
seventh-grade education). He wants to become a civil-engineer. Obviously
he cannot. He tries another occupation, etc. Now the attempt of that man
to better his condition is a laudable one, but very often that desire to
get away from a difficult situation is a part of his mental disorder. He
must be made to understand and meet that problem frankly and not be
seeking round-about paths without very much continuity of purpose.
Vocational training in connection with epileptics has not been very
successful. Dr. Ellison who has had charge of a hospital for epileptics
can give us some valuable information on the problems of the epileptics.
I think that Dr. Wilbur, who has had charge of a large station at
Chicago, can give us some valuable information about preliminary
examinations, the social service aspect of these cases, the need of
social service and the handling of the psychoneurotic in out-patient
clinics. Dr. Wilbur and Dr. Chronquest can tell us about the problem
affecting the insane. Mr. Chairman, I suggest that you call on them.
Dr. ELLISON: I want to say the program as outlined in the afternoon
session is one of vital interest to me, because I have been in charge of
one of the most problematic Government Institutions in the country, that
is, an epileptic hospital in East Norfolk. The administrative program in
hospital of this kind, taking into consideration the application of
general orders, hospital regulations and internal regulations as within
the hospital, is entirely different from any other class of hospital
under Federal control.
The very fact that you attempt to apply certain regulations in a
hospital of this kind where the morale is naturally at a low ebb, due to
the mental phases under which these men are suffering, sometimes results
in disaster and the breaking down of the morale you have in the
hospital.
I would like to go on record in stating it is my belief that voluntary
hospitalization of the epileptic is anything but desirable.
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