The following General Order is hereby promulgated, effective this date, for observance by all officials and employees of the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau.
1. The Section of Physical Reconstruction is under the Medical Division, and includes Occupational Therapy, Pre-Vocational Training, and Physiotherapy in hospitals and dispensaries, and Follow-Up Nursing outside of hospitals.
2. The internal management of hospitals of the Army, Navy, Public Health, National Soldiers’ Homes, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, and Contract Hospitals falls under the jurisdiction of the several services mentioned, or in private and State institutions under the superintendent.
3. Occupational Therapy, Pre-Vocational Training, and Physiotherapy are a part of the hospital care and treatment, and fall under the management of the Medical Officer in charge of each institution, and do not come under the jurisdiction of the District manager or the District Medical Officer.
4. Institutions formerly known as Training Centers have been divided into two groups:
(a) All centers called Vocational Schools are under the Rehabilitation Division. (b) All centers in hospitals will be called Reconstruction Centers and are under the Medical Division.
ARMY
In all Army Hospitals serving the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau beneficiaries reconstruction work will be established, and personnel, equipment, and expendable materials for Occupational Therapy, Pre-Vocational Training, and Physiotherapy will be furnished through the Surgeon General of the Army and paid for by the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau on a pro rata basis for such service to its beneficiaries.
NAVY
In all Naval Hospitals serving U.S. Veterans’ Bureau Beneficiaries Physical Reconstruction will be established and the personnel, equipment, and supplies for Occupational Therapy, Pre-Vocational Training, and Physiotherapy will be furnished by the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau for its beneficiaries in such hospitals.