MENTAL HYGIENE

Evening Star, Issue 25172, 11 May 1944, Page 5

MENTAL HYGIENE

AMERICAN ARMY METHODS WASHINGTON, May 10. Discussing a subject regarding which* the army has previously been reticent, Major-general Norman Kirk, army surgeon-general, and Colonel ffijemiiriger, chief of the division of neuropsychiatry, told a Press conference that this war was producing more psychoneurosis among American soldiers than the last war, but improved methods of treatment were salvaging 60 per cent. of the cases for further duty. They explained that there was less public enthusiasm for the present war, in addition to which weapons were more lethal and the extremes of climate greater. "The American way of life is not conducive to fitting a man for army regimentation'," said Colonel Menoinger. " Some of' out people, reared in plenty and accustomed to thinking of self before group welfare, are not convinced that they but it has been proved tha-t where and training are good, where morale is high andtroops have a sufficient understanding of why they iwe fighting, psychiatric casualties are comparatively low." Officers and non-commissif>ned officers are now trained in preventive mental hygiene, and through new methods of treatment 30 to 40 per cent, of mental casualties are returned to duty within 48 hours. Another 40 per cent, of those sent to evacuation hospitals can be salvaged,-and the remainder return to the United'States, where most improve. The majority of those returned to civil life become useful memlbers of society, readjusted! if not cured.