CARE OF THE BLIND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23619, 1 April 1940, Page 12

CARE OF THE BLIND

CASUALTIES IN WAR ST. DUNSTAN'S PREPARES LORD NUFFIELD'S ASSISTANCE 5 [FROM OUR OWN COIUUiSPONnKXT] LONDON, March J2 St. Dunstan's is again preparing to provide for men blinded by enemy action during the war. A new hospital near Brighton, which was. built as a convalescent and holiday home mote than a year belorc the outbreak of hostilities, has been converted into a war hospital. The expense of conversion and the cost of a new operating theatre wing has been borne by Lord Nuffield. When the new wing was opened last week by Sir Walter Womersley, Minister of Pensions, representatives of the Forces and of the Dominion medical services were present. New Zealand was represented by Captain H. J). Robertson, N.Z.M.C. (Wanganui), who is at present attached to the British Army. Later, he will join the New Zealand Division. Sir lan Fraser, chairman ol St. Dunstan's, presided. Sir Walter Womersley said thit-t the Ministrv of Pensions and St. Dunsftpn's liad always worked in close co-opeit/l-tion for the interests of those who lost their si'dit in the last war. He himself had" had some personal experience of blindness —he still had one blind eye —and during, four weeks that be was once without sight he did not knowhow he would have ielt it it had not been for the cheering words of the surgeons. ' . The. history of St. Dunstan s read like a romance, and the Ministry ot Pensions might claim to be its godfather. Its 25 vcars of service had stood the test of time and criticism. Now it had taken on new responsibilities to those who might be injured in this war. All the obligations undertaken, ill the last war St/ Dunstan's was prepared to undertake in this war, find by agreement with the Ministry of Health it had undertaken to give care and treatment to civilian cases of eye injuries through enemy action. A magnificent example had been set by Lord Nuffield in defraying the cost of the new operating theatre. Sir lan Fraser said that any men who were sent to St. Dunstan's in this war would be helped by those others who in tho past 25 years had Achieved vietory over blindness.