Patients then were cared for in military hospitals up to the point of maximum functional restoration, both mental and physical. In the case of patients who were ultimately to be discharged from military service, arrangements were made whereby the Federal Board for Vocational Training might have access to these men as soon as it was known that they were to be discharged and the educational officers of the Medical Department were directed to cooperate with the representatives of the Federal Board to the fullest possible extent, in order that the patients concerned might have all the advantages assured them by the Federal Government.
It was recognized that in order to make this program successful for the attainment of the maximum physical and mental condition through complete medical and surgical treatment, it would require the establishment of a policy of extended publicity. This embraced the necessity to educate the public to the need of this physical reconstruction for the disabled men before their return to civil life; to educate the family of the soldier with regard to the need of continued treatment that they might be satisfied to have them remain in hospital, and finally, to educate the soldier himself by placing in his hands at the earliest possible moment after his disability had been incurred the necessary literature which would inform him of his status as a soldier and of the privileges, which were to be his as a disabled man, from the Medical Department of the Army, the Federal Board for Vocational Education, the Bureau of War Risk Insurance, and also to place in his hands such literature as would inform him of facts concerning various trades from which he might choose a vocation, together with all the information in regard to the need for men in the various industries of the country.
As above outlined this policy of treatment was carried out. At the approved time for the discharge of the patients from the military service, they at once became beneficiaries of the Bureau of War Risk Insurance and subject to further physical reconstruction or education, if such were necessary, under the direction of the Federal Board, Public Health Service or the Bureau of War Risk Insurance.
