Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-02
SCARCITY OF FUNDS
FIGHT AGAINST CONSUMPTION
MAY BE DISCONTINUED.
Outline of Plans by Managers Of the
Campaign-Appeal Made
for Help.

The various subcommittee of the gen.
eral association of citizens which are en-
gagged in the fight against consumption have
outlined their plans for the years work,
and the program provides, among other
| things. that:
In the care and treatment" Of con-
| sumptives the committee will develop the
| new dispensary to a high point of efficien-
| cy. When this new and radical departure
from the merely educational work was
commenced, 1t was proposed to make a
most careful examination of every patient,
| to determine whether or not the bacillus
| of tuberculosis was to be found in the
system; to instruct each one examined, so
that the danger of infection might be
reduced in some degree, at least-as well
as could be expected while the patient re-
manned at homeland to arrange for those
who needed medical treatment to receive
the help of cooperating doctors and the
services of the nurses from the Instruc-
tive Visiting Nurses Society.
This has been done in nearly all cases,
and yet the committee wishes to go further.
A consumptive should live out of doors,
and corporation should be secured with
companies that are employing men and
women in light out-of-door work. In a
short time it is hoped arrangement may
be commenced whereby change of employ
ment from indoor to outdoor may be made
possible for a few selected cases. A few
sufferers have been persuaded to take up
work in the country and every assistance
within the power of the committee has
been given in perfecting arrangements for
the permanent location in less congested
communities Already a few patients-the
committee wishes the number might be in
vreased-have taken up permanent residence
outside the city limits.
Funds Are Limited.
Available funds will not permit of send
ing any one far beyond the District lin
wit \
board bills etc Other cities, like New
York, Boston and Chicago, have frequently
sent away and paid all expenses of in
digent patients who could not receive the
proper care at home. Nothing can be
done at the present time along this line
and nothing is likely to be done until the
treasury makes it possible TO do little
good to those who must stay at home
While 240O sufferers from this disease are
to be found in Washington at all times.
and only seventy INDECENT patients may be j
accommodated in all the institutions of the
city, this committee. it is conceded must
leave its more ambitious work and do as
Wen as possible in instituting and assisting
the great multitude and leave that very
important work of permanent cure to the
charity of some other year.
a start toward curative work has been
commenced by this committee on care and
treatment 1t is expected that a company
Will be formed ir a short time for the es-
Enlistment of a sanitorium camp. If the
pfoJect now under conS1dera ton by great
many people in the District meets with
success six months from now it is stated
will see the doors of sanitorium for cur
atlve work opened for twenty patients with
in or near the District of Columbia Twenty
patients will be the limit of this institution
at first, but it is expected that accommo-
dations will be increased from time to time
and that each year will see larger proper
ton of Washingtons consumptive popula-
ton receiving treatment near their homes
and within easy reach of their physicians
and friends
Campaign by Lecture Committee.
The committee on lectures is commencing
Its spring campaign. An invitation is given
at this time for any society, organization or |
individual who believes that a lecture upon
this subject would be helpful to correspond
with the general Office of the society, 926
street northwest, where arrangements
can be made and lectures furnished with
out cost. The doctors and other workers
instructed upon this subject are always glad
to give their services for no other COM
pensation than good audience.
Thousands Of circulars are being distrib- |
uted every month through the efforts of
the committee on printing and distribution
The one question asked by this subcom- |
mittee is: Where can circulars be placed
to do good? Suggestions along this line
are invited.
Other subcommittee are at work, but the |
one coming into more prominence than all |
others at this season is the finance com
mite Money must be raised at once or |
all of these activities must cease. Every
citizen of Washington and every visitor |
here is in danger of contracting consump-
ton. 1t is argued that nearly every one !
pays money in protective insurance-pro-
lection against fire, death or sickness-and |
that there is need just now for fifteen hun |
dred dollars to be raised by this committee |
of citizens to be expended In protecting |
the community from the raVages of the |
great white plague
Unless this money is assured in a few |
weeks, it is stated, the committee must |
stop the work which has been so effectively |
commenced.