It was here remarked by a conferee that General Order No. 27 would take care of such patients; that if he left the hospital his compensation would be cut and he would not be readmitted within so many months.
SURGEON CHRONQUEST: offered the resolution that action be taken by the Hospitalization Committee toward the establishment of a Federal commitment law in psychopathic cases.
COL. FORBES: replied that there had been decisions made against such a suggestion, by reason of the fact that it interfered with the prerogative of the States.
SURGEON CHRONQUEST: mentioned the possibility of a suit being filed against the commanding officer of a hospital for the illegal detention of a patient.
DR. WHITE: explained that a man in the service—Army, Navy, etc.—could be sent by the Secretary of War, of the Navy, to St. Elizabeths as well as anywhere else; but that the courts in the District state that as soon as the man changed to civilian status his commitment ends, and he is illegally detained.
COL. FORBES: suggested that the question be referred to the Legal Division of the Veterans’ Bureau.
COL. FORBES: “The conclusion of this session precludes me from any further activity here. There is a little lack of enthusiasm here. I want you to remember that we have asked you gentlemen here by and under proper authority, and that it cost a good deal of money to bring you here, which money is coming out of my appropriation. Now you have got to come through with everything that is in your systems; you have got to give us resolutions, advice, etc., and as long as I am coming to these meetings I want to see lots of interest and enthusiasm shown, especially by you gentlemen who are commanding large institutions. Surely you have known lots of improvements you could suggest. I want you to make such suggestions.
During tomorrow’s session when we are having motions and resolutions, have something to offer. We are here to serve the Government and the ex-service men. I want you to help me, because in helping me in my work you are doing what the law has provided for the ex-service men.
I have been in your hospitals, most of them and I am wonderfully well satisfied with the work you are doing. I am wonderfully happy because of the spirit shown and the accomplishment you have made. You have worked against odds many times, and I know there has been lack of appreciation. What moneys you need for medical service it is my duty to see you are allotted. I want you to know that we are not opposing any of the medical activities, because as I said, I believe and I am satisfied that our greatest problem in this work is one of a medical nature. Of course the Veterans’ Bureau must properly operate through its doctors, and those of you who are handling this big medical problem must help me, and I must do what you decide is best to be done in the interests of the men.”
MEETING ADJOURNED—4:30 P.M., Jan. 17, 1922.