PREFACE

The surgeons who participated in the writing of this history knew each other personally and professionally while in the military and to varying degrees have kept contact following their retirement. Colonel Raymond Bagg, even though his name does not appear as an author on any of the individual chapters, was an important source of information and follow-up data on patients who passed through the 106th General Hospital in Yokohama, Japan. Without this information, including subsequent follow-up, very little could have been said about long-term results in certain areas of this history.

Thisvolume could not have come to completion without the efforts of CharlesJ.Simpson, who during the beginning of this volume was the director ofthe Clinical HistoryProgram at the Center of Military History in Washington, D.C. Hisconstant enthusiastic interestand input made us want to complete this volume more quickly than it wasdone. It was Charlie’sidea to have this really be contemporary history so that it could beused in subsequent conflictsand new surgeons might not have to relearn the lessons of the past.

Weare all pleased that it is completed. We are sorry that it took solong, but I think itrepresents our true feelings about the management of the patients fromthe battlefield through theevacuation system to their final disposition in the United States.

Inaddition to Charlie Simpson and the individual physicians responsiblefor writing thechapters of this volume, many others were involved. Included,especially, were the physiciansand nurses who took care of the patients on a day-to-day basis, theorthotist and prosthetist whofabricated the external devices, the physical and occupationaltherapists, and, most importantly,the patients themselves.

Inmost instances these patients had greater motivation than many of ushad seen in anypatient population. It was easy for most of the physicians to harnessthis enthusiasm and energyin the rehabilitation effort of this group of orthopedic patients. Thishigh degree of motivation isresponsible for much of the success that we enjoyed in managing thisgroup of patients.

Wewould like to dedicate this volume to Charles J. Simpson (“Charlie”)and to thepatients who are the basis of this volume.

WILLIAM E. BURKHALTER, M.D.