Is There Merit in the So-Called "Cerebral Palsy" Program?

To the Editor:— Spastic paralysis and allied disorders of the central nervous system which must be considered in differential diagnosis have recently been widely publicized under the allinclusive title of cerebral palsy. An attempt is being made to establish expensive and elaborate training programs for the care of these patients in many of our crippled children's clinics. In some instances writers imply that such a program of muscle training and reeducation will afford continuous improvement in muscle control and function and will eliminate need for surgery to correct deformities even in selected cases. What can be expected from a program of this type? My opinions are based on experience derived from study of a group of 2,096 consecutive cases seen prior to 1948 at the St. Louis Unit of the Shriners' Hospital for Crippled Children. These allied disorders of the central nervous system can be adequately classified under the four