New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-01
FACTORY CLINICS PROPOSED
Chicago tuberculosis Institute
Urges Inspections.

Tho Tune 10 examine ptOpc lOI tuD'r'u-
losis is when they are on thelr feet at
| work and not after they are fiat on their
! backs" says James Minnck. superinteud-
ent Of the Chicago Tuberculosis Institute.
| Doctors OF dispensaries and hospitals all
over the country report that they receive
cases too late" he asserts.
| The Chicago Institute is working to
change this condition. Its members want
to have comprehensive inspection that will
detect all cases Of consumption In the In
cipient stages, leading TO treatment which
will prevent the growth and spread OF tho
disease The Institutes committee on fac
tories has published "A pamphlet entitled
Examination OF Employees for Tubercu-
losIs," which Nj. Minnick considers one Il
the most important OF all It's publications.
| In the detection Of no other disease does
the value Of supervision of tho health e
, the worker stand out az prominently az IN
| cases OF tuberculosis says the pamphlet.
and proceeds TO draw the parallel between
human and other machinery. Periodic eN-
animation Of machinery. which IL the busl-
ness policy of all we'll managed establish
ments. should not be applied only TO in
! animate mechanisms. since the need IL as
great and the consequences OF neglect ~
/ overwhelming for human machinery. The
| Importance OF timely repair IL emphasized.
and the impractIcability Of waiting until
a breakdown has occurred is pointed out.
| The institute does not offer advice as TO
the financing OF such inspections, but pre-
diets their ultimate adoption by all In
dustrjaI concerns, whether they are paid
for by the employer employees associa-
I lion the state or all three combined"
At present provision for such eXamna-
lions exists I'm comparatively few estab-
usbments. Often n case receives no atten-
ton until Il has passed beyond the durable
stage This is the mere frequent because
Of the slow processes of the disease and
tho inconspicuous nature OF the symptoms
| In many cases.
The institute advises. first that an ex-
perienced physician examine all suspicious
cases; second. that a trained nurse assist
the physician; third. that after list OF
all suspicious cases has been compiled
clinic be established on the premises OF the
firm, where all such cases are subjected to
a thorough medical examination.
The committee on factories has carried
on for a year a campaign for the adoption
OF this plan Dy CHlCdkO
and several important companies are try
ing IL.
One OF the great difficulties ecountered
is the insufiicency Of institutional provis-
ion for the poor In many cities. "The num-
Der of durable cases In need OF sanatorium
treatment I'm community generally out
number the existing sanatorium facilities
says the committee. Furthermore. the
standard OF most Of our hospitals for adj
vanced cases IL such as not to appeal to
the average workman unless driven there,
as a last resort. by the utter hopelessness or
his condition or by absolute restitution.
Such a situation inevitably results in the
spread OF the disease.
Lack Of sufficient financial provision for
employees in case Of Illness is Of course, a
great hndrance to effective prevention
sickness and disability insurance. the insti-
tute believes, should be more widespread.
THE hand Of the engineer" concludes the
pamphlet, "is on the throttle Of the manu-
featuring machinery: the hand Of the ply
stefan should be on the health Of the work.
ing force. 4 higher standard of health
means greater efficiency"