Dr. Steve Henry took time out from his day job as Kentucky's lieutenant governor this week to spend time at Walter Reed Army Medical Center treating wounded veterans of the war in Iraq.

Henry has been at the center since Tuesday, helping to administer a progressive kind of treatment that bone specialists use in many of the worst injuries.

Henry, an orthopedic surgeon, helped developed the antibiotic bead pouch - known in medical circles as antibiotic-impregnated methylmethacrylate beads - that has been shown to significantly reduce infection in wounds. Infection is a constant threat with war wounds because of the unsanitary conditions of combat.

For as long as armies have been doing battle, the aftermath of war has always included the sight of veterans who have lost arms or legs for their cause. Henry told the Associated Press the beads, which are not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration, "cut down infection by one-half and decrease amputation by 20 percent."

At least 495 U.S. service members have been wounded. Many of them have been taken to Walter Reed, including Jessica Lynch, the 19-year-old Palestine, W. Va., soldier rescued in a commando raid two weeks ago. The hospital said gunshots may have caused open fractures on Lynch's upper right arm and left leg, injuries so bad that Iraqi medical staff wanted to amputate her leg.

The lieutenant governor said he has been working on the bead pouch treatment with a colleague from the University of Louisville for about 15 years.

"Being able to fundamentally change the way we treat soldiers in combat, affecting lives, is really uplifting," Henry said.

Henry is expected to return to his political duties in Kentucky today.

Henry's year has been marred by an investigation into his medical billing practices. He may also lose his state-owned home in the wake of Kentucky's budget cuts. This must be a welcome respite.

For his constituents and his neighbors, it's a gesture to be appreciated.