Part 5

The _fourth_ agency, which has been very largely developed recently, but which has always been used, is the agency of work. This has been applied in approximately three ways. The first of these is known as diversional occupation and comprises practically the whole field of what is thought of by many as occupational therapy. The activities in this field consist of such work as basket weaving, leather tooling, bead stringing, rug weaving, and a thousand other similar activities. The object of this activity is to assist in the re-direction of the patient’s interests, to turn them away from infantile and regressive objects, and to project them again into the outer world of reality. Then there is the industrial type of work therapy in which the patient is carried still further along the line of personal initiative and given an opportunity to do creative work which is at the same time useful and which helps him to keep in form pending the time of his ultimate discharge from the hospital. And finally, there is the vocational education work, which undertakes definitely and systematically to give a man training in some specific direction which he can utilize, after he leaves the institution, and which will have a definite economic value. For this latter work of vocational training there is needed such psychological advice and assistance which will at least prevent the wastage of time and effort upon unprofitable or impossible tasks, whereas the vocational psychologist cannot by any rule-of-thumb-tests tell that a man will make a success in this or that direction, he can tell within reasonable limits that a certain patient cannot profitably undertake a certain type of training, that his capacities do not measure up to the minimum requirements that would make success possible. In this way the work of vocational education for the neuropsychiatric case can be narrowed down so that it can be applied more intensively and more effectively to selected groups that can be reasonably assumed to be good risks.

The _fifth_ agency, which can be advantageously brought to bear upon the neuropsychiatric case, is the agency for extra-mural social adjustment, and the personnel consists of the psychiatric social worker. With her help the patient discharged from the hospital can have the maximum amount of assistance for relating him again with the problem of self-support and self-sufficiency. She, through her study of his family situation, his economic status, his industrial placement and social contacts can assist to these ends.

The third group of neuropsychiatry cases is like the second,—a group that has always been with us, but unlike the second it is a group that never before has been systematically hospitalized. It is the group of what might broadly be termed borderland states, comprising all sorts of types of defective, delinquent, psychopathic, neurotic, and mildly psychotic individuals. Whereas they perhaps present no new problems when one is speaking from the platform of neuropsychiatry, they do present a distinctly new group of problems from the standpoint of hospitalization. Here all the agencies which have been described in connection with the second group need to be brought into action, but beyond them there needs to be a definite intensive study of methods for the new hospital problems involved. I mention only one aspect of the problem because it is one which has forced itself repeatedly upon the attention of hospital authorities and that is the need for an intelligent, and I may say, a therapeutic utilization of discipline in dealing with these cases, in this group there very probably are contained a reasonable number of individuals of unusual equipment, who, if our ingenuity and our breadth of vision are great enough, may perhaps be saved for some work of more than ordinary usefulness.

One of the medical agencies which it is contemplated to bring to bear upon this third group of neuropsychiatry cases is the dispensary because it is recognized that there is actual danger in hospitalizing a certain proportion of this group, and therefore it is much better to deal with them as ambulant cases. They can be dealt with in the dispensaries which are equipped not only to take care of them, but for all other medical and surgical conditions, and so will get the very best possible attention. There should, however, be connected with these dispensaries, especially the larger ones in the more densely populated districts, a psychiatrist with psychotherapeutic training who should have a psychiatric social worker to help him. If there are enough patients to warrant it perhaps additional assistance might be needed.

And finally, I would emphasize that in this great scheme, which contemplates the hospitalization of from ten to fifteen thousand neuropsychiatric cases of the general type above referred to there should be included all of the armamentarium for scientific research and all of the opportunity for individual endeavor and initiative which is calculated to bring the brighter professional minds to bear upon the subject and to illuminate it with the light of their genius. In order that such results may be effected as promptly as may be, and with the highest possible efficiency, I believe there should be established a training center for neuro-psychiatrists where our younger men, who are recently graduated from our medical colleges, and who have the inclination to specialize in this branch of medicine, can fit themselves in a minimum period of time to take it up as their life work. And that this result may be accomplished I think it important that in extending an invitation to the younger medical men to enter this branch of the service that it should be possible to give them some assurance of permanency in their respective jobs.”

GENERAL SAWYER: “The subject with which Dr. White has dealt is so important that it will have more consideration later in the program, as you will notice.

It is quite necessary in the operation of all affairs with which Americans or even any of the human family deal, to have somebody who knows something of the legislative procedure that is necessary to the conduct of their affairs.

Honorable Charles H. Burke was added to the Hospitalization Board for two reasons: first, because he does represent in his great family many hospitals, the services of many doctors, likewise of many nurses. He therefore comes to us, being a Congressman of long experience, as a man who can deal with the subject partly from a professional aspect or view of the matter, and again with a thorough and complete understanding of the legal side of the affairs with which we are dealing.

So I have great and special pleasure this morning in presenting to you the Honorable Charles H. Burke, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, who will address you briefly on the statutory regulations affecting the hospitalization of the World War Veteran.”

BURKE: “Mr. Chairman, fellow members, ladies and gentlemen:

I think in the introduction of General Sawyer I learned for the first time how it happened that I was accorded the honor and the privilege of being a member of an organisation made up of such a distinguished membership as is this Board, barring your humble servant.

It would hardly be expected, after listening to these discussions by these eminent experts in their particular lines, that I would undertake to say anything along the scientific side of this proposition, and I am going to be rather general in what I state in the short time I shall talk to you.

Government activities can only exist by reason of the law, and so it will be proper to consider perhaps or discuss briefly the application of the law with reference to the activities that are being conducted, of which you, each of you, are a part.

The responsibility for whatever the Government may do in this or any other matter rests largely upon the Congress. I have hastily gone through the legislation that has been enacted in the last few years with reference to taking care of and providing for the ex-service men, and during the war for their dependents, and for those who might become incapacitated or disabled from any cause. There has been much legislation, demonstrating that the Congress is keenly alive to the importance of the situation. There has been one act after another, and hardly an act but what has been amended within a very short time after its enactment.

The recent law is what is known as the Sweet Bill, the law under which we are now operating. Within the memory of many who are here present the appropriations for all purposes of the Government were under a billion dollars, and there is being and is appropriated at the present time nearly half of that amount for the purpose of caring for the hospitalization, etc. of these ex-service men. Am I correct, Colonel Forbes, in the amount of money that is being appropriated? It is a vast and large sum of money, and it is the duty of those charged with the responsibility of expending that money to see that we get a hundred cents’ value for every dollar that has been appropriated. This requires economy and efficiency, and this gathering and this organization which General Sawyer is the chairman, was created for the purpose of getting better results from the moneys that are appropriated by the Congress; and you, each and every one of you, have been brought here, as I understand, for the purpose of coming in closer contact with those who are charged with the responsibility, in the first instance, of administering the expenditure of this large sum of money; and you owe to this responsibility exactly the same responsibility as does Colonel Forbes or anyone else occupying a higher station than you may occupy.

Therefore, I am confident and I am certain that when this conference shall have concluded, every person that has come here will go back to his respective place where his duty requires him, with a better understanding and with a more determined disposition to try and render better service and get really more for the money that is being expended for the purpose for which it is being expended.

Speaking of legislation, we shall undoubtedly require considerably more legislation because, as I have stated, in the short time since this subject was first taken up by Congress think of the progress that has been made.

As I understand, in 1919 the Public Health Service were hospitalizing something like two thousand persons. General Sawyer stated here today that we are now caring for twenty-two thousand; and I think it has been stated—and it is generally considered—that the maximum will soon be thirty-two thousand. So you see that it is more than likely that we are going to have to have additional legislation and more appropriation; and I may say to you generally that I have that confidence in the American people—I have that confidence in the Congress of the United States—to know that there need be no uncertainty nor hesitation on any one’s part with reference to what may be done to provide for caring properly for these dependents and these ex-service men who are entitled to every consideration.

I believe, as the result possibly of this conference, it may be brought to the attention of this Board that there is some legislation amending the so-called Sweet Bill. I think Colonel Forbes, as the head of the Veterans’ Bureau, has already discovered and suggested some very necessary amendments to the law, and I have no doubt that he will be able to secure those additions to the law. It looks now as if we may have to provide for additional hospitals by the enactment of further appropriations of money. It will not be done unless it is necessary, but I am sure if it is necessary that adequate provision will be made and made promptly by the Congress.

One of the policies of this administration is coordination and cooperation, and endeavor to avoid duplication in administrative matters; and if there is a bureau charged with a certain responsibility and with certain duties to perform, if it may be possible for them to do what may be under the jurisdiction of another bureau, to centralize and have this work done by one rather than two; and so in the work of coordination in the administration of this particular activity there has been a great saving. The Public Health Service, I believe, makes certain provision and takes care of certain persons at the request of the war Veterans’ Bureau and vice versa. I think it has been said,—if it is true it ought to be corrected,—that when the Veterans’ Bureau takes care of patients for the Public Health Service, there has been no provision made for reimbursing the Veterans’ Bureau. That will undoubtedly be taken care of by Congress, either by increasing the appropriation for the Veterans’ Bureau, or providing that when they render service for the Public Health Service, the Public Health will reimburse them for such moneys as they may expend.

Now one of the things that I want to particularly bring to your attention, and to perhaps admonish you, in the two or three minutes I have left, is to remember, as I stated at the outset, that governmental activities exist only by authority of the law, and that we must keep within the law; and remember, if there are some things in connection with your duties that are not operating just as you would have them, that they cannot be changed without changing existing law. The responsibility for the law is upon the Congress of the United States. The responsibility for this great undertaking is upon the Congress of the United States, and if you have not sufficient money to properly take care of these men, the responsibility is not yours; the responsibility is upon the Congress.

It is your duty;—it is our duty to bring to the attention of the Congress the money that is necessary in order to properly handle this subject. Then it is for the Congress to say whether or not that amount will be appropriated. Under this present administration, those of us who are in Bureau positions have been admonished that we must keep our expenditures within the appropriations, and we have had brought to our attention the statutes upon this subject. I am going to read them to you for your information, and I want to say to you who may have charge of an institution and have had a certain allotment of funds for a given period, that it is up to you to see that your expenditures do not exceed that allotment. If you have not sufficient money to do what you feel you ought to do, you must reduce your expenditures for the time being, regardless of its effect upon the service, because under the law you have no right to create a deficiency or incur any liability on the part of the Government in advance of an authorization and an appropriation therefor.

I want to call your attention to the statutes on this subject because they are being brought to our attention not only by the President and the head of the Bureau of the Budget, but by the Congress; and so I want you people to understand that we are expected to follow the law.

Mr. Burke read extracts from: Section 3679

Act of March 3, 1905.

Section 5503.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the law; and so I want to impress upon you that you so conduct your institutions that you will keep within the limit of the allotment that has been made for your institution; and if you have not sufficient money, then bring it to the attention of the head of the Veterans’ Bureau or someone else connected with the administration. They will consider it, and if it shall seem that more money is necessary they will not only recommend it, but I think I can say for the Congress that the Congress will generously respond.

I congratulate this conference upon its start. I hope that there may be a general discussion,—that those who have come from long distances will tell their experiences and make suggestions with reference to anything that will improve this service; and I am very certain that when the conference shall conclude on its last day it will adjourn with a feeling that the time has been well spent, and that in the future we are going to profit, and profit materially, as to the result of what may be done in this conference and by it.”

GENERAL SAWYER: “Fellow workers, I certainly hope that this introduction this morning has given you two things; first, that it has given you the impression that the men engaged at the head of the affairs of this Government in this subject are capable, worthy men. I hope it will have given you the same inspiration that I carry away this morning,—to go on with this conference and with your work after you leave here more earnestly if possible, more sincerely if you may, and certainly with more determination to bring about the results we all have in mind.

This morning you have heard the various members of the Board of Hospitalization make their addresses, brief of course as they have been and in many instances not entirely fair to them, considering the subjects they have to handle; but they have done as well as time will admit.

This afternoon this conference, under the chairmanship of Colonel Forbes will take up a special subject or two, and will then go into the matter of the general discussion of the affairs as they have been presented today. We want you to feel that we are here to listen as you have listened this morning; and so we are going to ask each one of you to participate in the discussions. We want this to be an active meeting, of men in motion, so that when this conference does close we may have the satisfaction that has been expressed here by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.”

General Sawyer asked that, upon adjournment, the members of the Conference assemble outside the building in order that a group photograph might be made.

The meeting adjourned at 12:15 P.M.

_Second Session_ Tuesday, January 17, 1922.

At 2:00 P.M. the meeting was called to order by Colonel C. R. Forbes.

The roll was called by Dr. W. A. White.

COLONEL FORBES:

“The first paper of the afternoon was to have been read by Colonel Patterson, Medical Director of the Veterans’ Bureau; but in his absence, Dr. Rawls, of the Public Health Service, will deal with the subject of ‘Operation of Dispensary and Dental Clinics’.”

DR. RAWLS:

“I regret very much that Colonel Patterson cannot be here today, because he had some very definite statements to make about the dispensary problem of the Veterans’ Bureau. It was only last night that his physical condition warranted his telephoning to the Bureau his impossibility to come. In his absence I shall attempt to give you briefly a plan of the dispensary service of the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau.

The Veterans’ Bureau plans to establish a chain of dispensaries throughout the United States, located in the fourteen District Offices and in the hundred and twenty six sub-offices.

This is a new idea but is the logical result of past experience in furnishing service to the patients of the Veterans’ Bureau and in providing adequate medical facilities. It may not be amiss to trace the development of this idea from the time when the Veterans’ Bureau was in its infancy as the Bureau of War Risk Insurance and when the problem of securing examination reports on claimants for compensation and providing treatment to patients amounted to a grave emergency.

No ready made medical service existed to which the Bureau could turn for its needs. The problems of demobilisation confronted the Army and Navy. The Public Health Service was presented with the needs of the Bureau of War Risk Insurance and undertook the difficult task of forming a medical organization throughout the Country to meet these needs. The United States was then divided into fourteen districts with the District Headquarters and a medical officer of the Public Health Service in charge, called a “District Supervisor”, who was directly responsible for the organization of a medical staff throughout his District. The first plan for medical service was the appointment of physicians as designated medical examiners on a fee basis wherever there were claimants of this Bureau to be examined and treated, the ultimate object being to have at least one designated examiner in every county of the United States. By January of 1920 this object had been attained and designated medical examiners had been appointed in every city and town and in almost every village of the county.

The District Supervisors soon found this a most expensive method of accomplishing the work. The Bureau concurrently found it increasingly unsatisfactory in its result—an army of physicians widely scattered, whose work was difficult to control and well nigh impossible to standardize. The requirements of the Bureau were very definite. As a result, the Public Health Service developed the _medical unit_ plan of organization, which, in brief, was the formation of groups of physicians in the larger communities to make complete general and special examinations and to give careful study to cases requiring treatment. The results were so far superior to any previously obtained that the Bureau of War Risk Insurance urged the District Supervisors to complete the organization of their Districts along these lines and to use the designated medical examiners as little as possible.

The next step in the development of the dispensary idea was the establishing in the District Offices of large examining clinics staffed by officers and appointees of the Public Health Service devoting their entire time to this work and reinforced by the consultant services of the best specialists which the cities afforded.

The growth of the District Offices had passed all expectation and a serious problem faced the Public Health Service in enlarging these offices in accordance with this plan. However, there was no question of the wisdom of establishing in the District Offices adequate facilities for making examinations, as this feature was one of vital importance to the Bureau because on the accuracy and completeness of the examination reports depended the award of disability and the determination of compensation.

The Public Health Service faced this problem squarely and, loyally supported by the Bureau of War Risk Insurance, demonstrated the wisdom of this move. The Surgeon General went even further and established real outpatient dispensary service in connection with certain examination clinics in the District Offices and hospitals of his Service.

The Bureau of War Risk Insurance then assumed direct control of the entire District organization and the Director, Colonel Forbes, after an extended survey of this organization and the methods of furnishing service to his patients, which took him into practically every District Office and many of the larger cities served by medical units, evolved the plan of extending dispensary service to every section of the Country. With his keen insight into organization problems, one of his first moves was to obtain Congressional authority to further divide the Districts into sub-districts. He appreciated that each sub-district office was a potential dispensary, the examination clinic in each District Office and the medical unit at each sub-office being the nucleus upon which to build a U. S. Veterans’ Bureau Dispensary Service.