The creation of an Inspection Service also became a necessity, in order that the hospitals of this Service might be kept under constant surveillance, and that all complaints might be carefully investigated. This Inspection Service has now been reduced somewhat, but still is functioning satisfactorily and has also rendered a great deal of assistance to the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau in making certain inspections for that Bureau.
In addition to these matters, the Public Health Service also began the creation of a large system of out-patient dispensaries for the care of veterans of the World War and developed this work considerably. Up to recently, it had in operation some 58 of these dispensaries, many of them equipped and staffed for all forms of out-patient diagnosis and treatment.
The development of this dispensary system was a matter of supreme importance in furnishing the medical examinations of veterans required for the purpose of establishing their compensation ratings. This entire Service, as stated, is about to be turned over to the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau and will, in future, be operated by them.
In carrying out all of this work, the Public Health Service has, of necessity, been obliged to assemble a large personnel. The personnel at the present time is somewhat less than it has been previously, by reason of the transfer of certain activities to the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau, but, with the anticipated opening of many new hospitals and the increase of its facilities, this personnel must, of necessity, slowly increase.
At the present time, the Public Health Service has in this work about 1,700 medical officers, not including attending specialists. Of these, about 950 are officers of the Reserve Corps. A Dental Corps has been created and numbers, at the present time, about 180 dental officers. A corps of female nurses has been assembled and numbers, at the present time, about 1,800. A Reconstruction Service has been formed and numbers, at the present time, about 580 reconstruction aides. A Dietetic Service has been organized and numbers about 165 trained dietitians. These figures will give some idea of the large personnel necessary in the performance of this work.
It is difficult to draw distinctions between the various classes of personnel, but it may perhaps be said in general terms, at the present time, that the most difficult qualified personnel to secure is the medical officer. The Public Health Service was peculiarly fortunate in assembling a large Reserve Corps. At the close of the war, many medical men who had been in the military forces were demobilized. Finding themselves somewhat adrift, and having broken completely old associations, they were inclined, if opportunity offered, to continue in the Government service. A special appeal was made to these men by the Public Health Service and inducements were offered to them to accept service in the care of disabled discharged veterans. As a result, the Public Health Service was able to assemble a much larger number of reserve officers than could have been done under any other circumstances.
It has been a matter of great difficulty to maintain among these officers the necessary morale, by reason of the difficult circumstances and conditions under which they are employed. Having only a limited and somewhat uncertain tenure of office, with many uncertainties as to their future, it is worthy of note that they, nevertheless, have, given to the Government a service which could not easily have been secured from any other source. They have shown a fine spirit in the performance of this duty, and, as much as any set of men assembled under such conditions and circumstances, have delivered a service the quality of which is comparatively high. The retention of their services seems to me a matter of importance.
From the inception of this work up to date (Jan. 16, 1922), there have been cared for in hospital by this Service about 245,000 veterans, who have been furnished a total of about 12,831,000 hospital relief days. Also, about 1,945,000 outpatient treatments have been given and a total of over 1,427,000 medical examinations have been made. Many special services of various kinds have been rendered. For example; about 175,000 patients have been given dental treatment. Several thousand patients are being given occupational therapy and several thousand patients given physiotherapy every week. Prosthetic appliances of various kinds have been furnished to thousands of patients.
The important matter of medical social service in its hospitals has not been neglected by the Public Health Service. In cooperation with the American Red Cross, there has been organized an efficient medical social service, which has administered to the needs of the discharged disabled soldiers and sailors. These activities of the American Red Cross have been supplanted by many other agencies, including the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Jewish Welfare Society, and others. All of these agencies have rendered valuable assistance in the prosecution of this important phase of the work.
The Public Health Service accepted a share in the responsibility for the care of discharged and disabled ex-service men, with a full comprehension of the privilege which had been conferred. It has taken a pride in attempting to give to disabled ex-service men the very best service possible. While its ideals have not always been realized, it has, nevertheless, I believe, always treated the ex-service man with consideration and given him good professional service. It is my endeavor that the character of this service shall continue to improve, and I believe that it does improve constantly. No effort will be spared to render the very best service possible under the circumstances and conditions imposed.