During recent patrols, American armed forces medics have been asked to treat Afghan children with, not only infected cuts and persistent colds, but also retardation, blindness, autism, deafness and epilepsy. Much of what the medics see is beyond their reach. But sometimes they are able to help, quickly cleaning wounds or, as with this child in Zarinkhel, dispensing simple medicines.Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
