REPORT op aO^rrTTTEE ON REEDnC/^'^ION RESEARGH SHEPHERD I PRAHZ y \. i\ Vh/ ^'■^,_ :^ '■»«t)' A J THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES — V..-. ( V-'"' ^ TTT-"^ q f^> ..,\V. \i>6 to. [Reprinted from the Psychological Bulletin, Dec, 191 7, Vol. XIV. No 12 } REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON REEDUCATION RE- SEARCH Following is a report of the efforts of the Committee on Re- education of the American Psychological Association, and of the similar Sub-Committee of the Psychology Committee of the Na- tional Research Council. The report is published, in accordance with the custom of other similar committees and sub-committees, to show the progress that has been made up to the present time. Immediately after the publication of the report of the Con- ference on Reeducation held under the auspices of the General Medical Board of the Council of National Defense (see the Bulletin, 1917, 14, 229), much general and special medical and other scientific interest was manifested throughout the country. Inquiries re- garding various aspects of the problems were received from indi- viduals, from representatives of local and national organizations, and from teachers. Definite questions were answered as well as the chairman could, and suggestions were made when requested. Much of this interest could be called sporadic, or scattered, there being apparent no inclination to look at the whole, but rather local or individual problems and needs to be suggested or solved. Requests for suggestions regarding investigations were, however, made by three individuals representing national and general aspects of the work: by Major Edgar King, M.C., U.S.A., for the Office of the Surgeon General of the Army; by Mr. Charles H. Winslow, Assistant Director in charge of Research of the Federal Board for Vocational Education, for that Board; and by Dr. Stewart Paton, of the War Work Committee of the National Com- mittee for Alental Hygiene, for that Committee. Memoranda were prepared and sent for the purpose to each of these with the following results. Dr. Paton acknowledged the re- ceipt of the memoranda (dated September 20), reporting that he had referred them to Major Pearce Bailey, M.R.C., U.S.A., the chair- man of the War Work Committee. No action has been reported to date by Major Bailey. The memoranda (dated September 18) written for Mr. Winslow were acknowledged, but information of further action has not been received. Major King, to whom the memoranda were given on September 17, requested more definite information and suggestions, which were furnished in subsequent memoranda. The further progress in this direction will be noted below. i2486;3 417 REPORT All three memoranda were in the main alike, but differing in slight details on account of the special interests involved. They pointed out the necessity for the investigation of certain problems of reeducation, with special reference to those matters which may be called "functional restoration" or "functional adaptation." They suggested that investigations in these lines, at least from the medical aspect, were to be considered on a par with investigations of pathogenic bacteria, curative sera, and the like. From the edu- cational side it was suggested that certain methods be investigated in order to discover those giving the best results with adults having different maiming conditions. Such investigations, it was pointed out, are necessary in order "to save time, to reduce expense, and to bring about the best results" in functional recovery of the maimed and crippled. The investigations most urgently needed are those which are planned to discover methods to better (if possible) the following conditions: (i) those disabling accidents which at present are con- sidered to be incurable or for which no functional adaptation is recognized, and (2) the most frequently encountered accidents which are now dealt with in a way, but for whose betterment it is recognized that methods of improved technique should or may be devised. Investigations of these kinds, it was suggested, could very well be prosecuted in this country with cases of industrial accidents, which resemble closely those of war, and many cases of these industrial accidents would be available for study in such large commercial and industrial centers as Boston, Chicago, and New York. It was also pointed out that in the published reports from England and France which were examined the fact had frequently been deplored that time or men had not been available for the investigations of methods, and it was suggested that investigations in this country should be inaugurated immediately in order that our maimed and crippled soldiers might have the benefit of any improvement in technique or of newly devised therapeutic measures. The inauguration of such investigations in this country, and pro- vision for their temporary prosecution, it was pointed out, w^uld be advantageous in other directions, in that the work could Ite done by civilians. The preliminary investigations would als» permit the determination and selection of the more capable men for further work, and nearer the firing line, if the continuation of the investi- gations was considered to be desirable. On September 19, in conversation, Major King suggested that REPORT 4^8 any investigations should be conducted as near as possible to the Office of the Surgeon General, and that the work should be planned to be started in Washington, either at the Walter Reed General Hospital of the Army, or at the Government Hospital for the Insane where certain facilities for the conduct of the work were immediately available. He requested that additional memoranda be submitted to him in which detailed information be given of a few problems, of cost, and the like. This was done September 24, 1917. Three problems were suggested: a comparative study of the paralyses, with reference to the effects of different procedures; a consideration of the anesthesias which at present are practically entirely neglected as far as treatment is concerned; and methods of bringing about new coordinations in amputated cases. The labo- ratory of the chairman of the committee was reported as available, but it was pointed out that Washington is not an industrial center and that until Army casualties were received in large numbers it might not be possible to make as good a selection of cases as would be desirable. This suggestion was also made as an item of expense '^ since being already in Government work the chairman could devote ^K^ time to such investigations without the necessity for special em- ployment by the War Department. Three full-time and paid workers were suggested with the addition of an assistant and a clerk, such workers to be employed by the War Department In ; order that their full time should be devoted to the work. The Su time to be devoted to the investigations in the preliminary period ^ was set at four months, this amount of time being considered to be I necessary on account of the long processes Involved. In a letter dated November 12, 1917, in answer to a request for any information regarding the decision of the Surgeon General \ regarding the matter, Major King wrote that the memoranda "will ^^^ receive attention and that it is the intention of the Surgeon General ^ to make whatever investigations along the lines suggested by you as found to be possible. Up to the present time the matter has continued to be In a formative stage." Shepherd Ivory Franz, Chairman. Government Hospital for the Insane 124860 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. tJi^lVKttblTY of CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGBLES LIBRiJtY I i , if, I 'i ? V,-. - ■''' />•. v: ;u /^: IIP s 1 '-^ -, f ..•■^■,*^ XY^ ii^'^ j^' i^'- ■.■■ ■«t...v-^ ':'!;■ "r"^"^^':: ^• ■\ "■ X -4 ■'•^ AiS: i , ^ i \/- ^»* .^r' ^2^