The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-15
SPREADING AMONG
WORKING GLASSES
Deadly White Plague Laying
Bread-Winners Low and Fam
lilies Are Suffering.
10 npnpIrA cnp AaIcclnMc
is PROBLEM FOR MISSIONS
Suggestion Of Movement Of In
digent Families to Farms,
Where Labor is Needed.

Tho officials of the Associated Chari-
ties have under consideration a num-
Der of cases in which the principal
support of the family is afflicted with
tuberculosis, and the families are be-
coming dependent. Several cases Of
this sort have been reported during
the past few days by the district
nurses who work in harmonw with
Nthe charities organization. and they
Il pSesent serious problems for considera-
ton. as 1t is possible that if 1t is at
tempted to hold the families together
they Will have to be supported for sew
crnl weeks or months. The mere issu-
Z ing of few groceries or load Of
fuel to some indigent family, in
spell Of bad weather. is simple com
pared with the problem presented by
these almost hopeless cases of sick
ness of the head OF families, where
there are a number of dependent chill
dren. Experience has shown that 1t is
not advisable to divide the families
except as a last resort.
Some of the Cases.
1 "A case which was under considera-
ton last night by DIR. Buchanan, SUI
pcrintendent of the Associated Chart
ties, was that of a man who lost his
wife few months since, and who has
seven children, the eldest a girl OF
fifteen. The man has a form of hone
poisoning. and has been at the Virginia
Hospital under treatment for some
time ,dhring which the Associated
Z Charities has paid the rent for the
family and with the assistance Of Mr.
Davis, of the cIty's work. supplied fuel
and groceries from time to time The
man Is now at homo and is thought to
3 be improving, but needs care and
nourishing food. The carrying of the
family for some weeks may result in
the mans complete recovery, which
his physician thinks probable, and the
family may then be put upon a self
supporting basis.
Another instance was that of a
widow with four children. The oldest.
now grown. has been for some years
the support of his mother and younger
sisters, and has worked his way into
trade that offers steady employment,
ana good wages.
lie has been taken with some form,
Aof tuberculosis, and although the doctor
thinks the case Is a hopeful one, 1t will
be a month or more before he will be
in condition for the work to which he
had been trained.
stu third reported yesterday was
that of young married man, jour
neyman painter, with three small chill
dren. Tho father has developed tuber
culosis and has not been able to worl
for some time. The visitors say til,
house is clean and well kept. TIL
mother takes in some washing to hell
support her husband ana children, Th
family need cyerything--rent, groceries
and fuel, and especially the nourishin;
food. eggs and so forth, directed by TIL
doctor for the sick man,
Serious Problem.
Cases OF this sort present a more
serious side than the mere giving of
nights lodging, with Job in the morn
Ing, or tho issuing Of package o
groceries and bag OF coal during
hard spell,
The Keeping the families together in q
home, with tho erci-rccurring rent, anG
the care Of the sick member, will occa
sion considerable expense, Of q Rnt
which the charity organizations Of this
rity are not IN position 10 bear. j
has been suggested that possibly thcr,
may be persons in the city who vii
undertake TO support 4 family OF this
sort, as personal charity.
There are cases that need persona
Il sympathetic human touch that the OF,
Eanizations cannot supply The Officials
Of the organized clarifies however
N stand ready 10 supervise the work ;lnt
5{ gee that the charitaby inclined are no
N imposed upon by an unworthy person
34 The spread Of tuberculosis among III
M working classes presents ono OF the mos
5t ,erious problems that confront the If
IS If the city at this time.
~ The recommendation of the heal,
RI authorities 10 establish a muatclp
ISOLATION hospital, where all cas-
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