RT Journal T1 THe medical department of the united states army in the world war. JF Journal of the American Medical Association JO Journal of the American Medical Association YR 1929 FD August 24 VO 93 IS 8 SP 635 OP 636 DO 10.1001/jama.1929.02710080061036 UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1929.02710080061036 AB This is the first time it has been possible in this country to study so many data about neuropsychiatric disorders. There was no history of this class of illness after the Civil War, as neuropsychiatry had not then reached an advanced stage. Early in 1917 the surgeon general invited to Washington a committee of civilian neuropsychiatrists for a conference. He requested the committee to visit the camps on the Mexican border to study the provisions for the diagnosis and care of mental diseases among the soldiers. The committee inspected the larger hospitals and the prison at Fort Leavenworth, and was impressed with the high standard of provision for the care of physical disorders in contrast with the meager provisions for the mentally ill. It was apparent that should the United States enter the European war special provision would have to be made for mental patients. The committee outlined plans for