RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2884, 23 September 1916, Page 10

RETURNED SOLDIERS

CONCERNING MEDICAL TREAT- | -' MENT. , In the new edition of the "Returned Soldiers' Handbook" just issued, definite information is given with regard to the medical treatment' which, will he given by the Health Department to all soldiers, after their discharge, suffering from a recurrence of illness arising out' of, and directly caused by, their service in the Forces, such as the reopening of a wound, muscular _ rheumatism, neurasthenia, pneumonia, or any other ailmerft which renders them unfit to follow their daily vocation. Application for. treatment can' he made to the Public Health Department at any time within twelve months of discharge. If treatment is granted and discontinued, a soldier will 'have the right to apply again' • within three months of such discontinuance. On receipt of an application the Chiefs Health Officer will at once give notioe to the soldier of the name of the medical practitioner, wliom ■ he is to visit for examination and report. On receipt of a recommendation for treatment the Public Health Department will at once ' all necessary measures for transport to, and recepat, a- suitable hospital or convalescent home. Treatment will be given only on condition of the soldier's signing an agreement to submit to the discipline of the Medical Officer and Commandant, as if he were still a member of the Force. The Government will pay hospital fees and cost of transit, except that, in the case of single men without dependants, who are drawing a nensiou of more than Ids. per week, the balance of the pension over 10s. per week will be deducted to pay part cost of maintenance. 'All married men or single men with dependants will he treated free. If at end of twelve months from date of discharge a soldier is still receiving treatment, the Chief Health Officer shall acquaint the War Pensions Board with full particular of the case, and the board shall decide as to whether tlie War Expenses Fund shall continue to bear the expense, wholly or in part, of such treatment, or whether all or portion of the pension, if any, of such discharged soldier shall be allocated to meet the discharge. There will now he no excuse for any discharged soldiers seeking the aid of a privato medical practitioner for the treatment of any disability arising from Service. In this new edition of the "Returned Soldiers' Handbook" is given much information whicli was not in the old one, so that it is now a complete book of reference for those for whose benefit it has been compiled, i If a copy of it could be handed to every returning soldier at his port of departure for New Zealand he could study its contents on board the transport and make, himself conversant with all matters concerning himself, as a "returned soldier." before his arrival in Now Zealand.. There is good reason to know that many returned men have not taken the, 'trouble- to study the "Hnndbnok" and have put it aside as if it did not concern them at all.