1502
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 44

(3.) All applications shall be dealt with and determined by the Pensions Medical Officer of the medical district in which the applicants reside, except that in those cases where the information on the district file is not sufficient to enable a decision to be come to the application shall be referred to the Medical Administrator of Pensions at Wellington.

(4.) Individuals entitled to treatment under this regulation will be described as “service” patients.

20. (1.) Accommodation supplied to service patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis shall take the form of either a specially constructed tent or of alterations or additions to the patient’s residence. In the case of structural alterations to any residence the cost shall not exceed the sum of £20 (twenty pounds). The Department will not be responsible for the maintenance of this accommodation nor for its replacement in any form.

(2.) In the case of tents, the Department will not be responsible for their maintenance nor for their replacement.

(3.) The following items of furniture shall be supplied: Bedstead, mattress, bedside-table, and chair. The Department will not be responsible for the maintenance or replacement of these articles.

SURGICAL APPLIANCES.

21. Artificial Limbs.—A member of the Forces who has lost a limb, or part of a limb, in consequence of a disability due to or aggravated by military service, shall be supplied with an artificial limb and duplicate.

In the case of any member who has lost part of a lower limb, such member may, if he so elects, be supplied with one peg leg in lieu of the duplicate artificial limb.

In the case of any member who has lost part of an upper limb, such member may, if he so elects, be supplied with a working arm in lieu if the duplicate artificial limb.

When a limb has become unserviceable through fair wear-and-tear the Registrar of Pensions of the medical district shall forward a report from the Consulting Surgeon for Artificial Limb Supplies to the Medical Administrator of Pensions, who shall approve (or otherwise) of a replacement. In the case of the Wellington district this report shall be made and forwarded by the Officer in Charge, Artificial Limb Factory, Wellington.

Applications for repairs shall be made to the Registrar of Pensions of the medical district, who will arrange with the Deputy Consulting Surgeon for Artificial Limbs for the attendance of the member, if considered necessary, giving the date and time for such attendance. If the attendance by the member is not considered necessary, he shall give instructions regarding the forwarding of the limb, or part thereof, by post. In the case of the Wellington district, applications shall be made to the Officer in Charge, Artificial Limb Factory, Wellington, who will make the necessary arrangements.

In the case of lower limbs, one pair of light boots, and in the case of upper limbs, one pair of gloves shall be supplied with each issue or replacement of limbs.

One wrench shall be supplied with each artificial leg for the purpose of tightening bolts.

Stump-socks, when unserviceable through fair wear-and-tear, shall be forwarded to the Registrar of Pensions of the medical district (or, in the case of the Wellington district, to the Officer in Charge, Artificial Limb Factory), who will, on receipt of the unserviceable stump-socks, replace them.

One pair of crutches shall be supplied, on application, to each service patient who has suffered an amputation of a lower limb or part of a lower limb. These crutches shall be replaced under the same conditions as other surgical appliances.

22. Artificial Eyes.—A member who has lost an eye, in consequence of a disability due to or aggravated by military service, shall be supplied with an artificial eye and duplicate.

Replacement shall be made when the necessity for same is certified by a medical officer.

23. Trusses.—A truss shall be supplied in cases in which the hernia for which the truss is required is due to military service and the member has been advised against operation by competent surgical authority. No issue shall be made where operation has been refused.

24. Abdominal Belts.—The supply and replacement of abdominal belts shall be made if the condition for which the belt is required is due to or aggravated by military service.