The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-20

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  Although the city dispensary of the Anti Tuberculosis association of Jeffer- son county has been in operation for period of two years, yesterday. for the first time, it was inspected by of ficials of the city and county.
 The party of inspection was com posed of officers of the association. of ficials of the city and county. and other the 20 men drove automobiles over Red mountain to the camp of the asso- ciation. There the building and tents were inspected, the dining hall and kitchen visited. and some of the 22 patients interviewed.
 The associa tion's object in arrang- ing the trip to the camp was to show the officials of the city and county just what was being done for the show them in order that they might be- come more in sympathy with the work. The association intends asking the county to increase it's monthly appro- priation from s400 to $500 per month, and the city to increase it's monthly Pp- propriationfrom s100 to s40o per month.
 With s12,000 per year., stated Sydney J. Bowie. president of the association, we will be able to extend our field forts toward stamping out-or at least, preventing the spread in this county of tuberculosis"
 There is very little doubt but that the increased appropriations to be re- qucsted of the city and county will be granted
 Theory and the Practice
 Leaving the city hall the party stopped at the dispensary. The quar- ters were inspected, and the nurse In charge explained how that department of the work was operated. She went through her charts and showed how each case reported is investigated, treated, and cared for-how negro patients who are not admitted to the camp, are watched and treated, how in- cipient cases are given attention. how cdSeS ulsinlsseu lro1n tue camp are tlose- iy watched through system of re- ports made to the dispensary every month.
 Deeply impressed with what had oc- cured, the party continued It's trip over the mountain. In half an hour the camp was reached. What had been shown as theory at the dispensary, was Her oh fr were the buildings, very crude. as un- attractive though just as neat as a human wall flower" Patients were seen strolling along the veranda. or reclining in chairs in their tents. A few poor fellows were confined to their beds.
 The party went through the dining room. very simple and very clean. The kitchen was inspected. pr. A. A. Walker then escorted the visitors through the main building, showing the patients and explaining the charts. The matron in charge was most diligent in explain ing everything, to what use that which she had was put, and how without necessary comforts she was still able to manage.
 Very few men talked. Nature was beautiful on the mountain top-but for some reason there seemed little cause to rejoice.
 Crudeness of It All
 The matron in charge knows what is needed. The need is apparent. wa ter supply. means of heating water means of administering baths, sewer age, and warm quarters for dressing and undressing.
 The refuse from the kitchen Is poured into a wooden, hand manufactured cIs- tern, and from that basin 1t trickles in plain view down an amateurishly con- structed and altogether improvise1 gutter. The expenditure of $25 of $50 would correct the evil.
 By the operation of hand pump, water is elevated from the ground to a cistern so small that but for pity one seeing it would smile. From this sys- tenn. the pressure of which Is limited as charity is rare, water Is drawn
 It is a simple arrangement. The Puritan fathers might have accomp- .ished as much. And the camp is in sight of Birmingham, rich and luxuri- ous!
 Inere IS path tuU
 Rats and the Bath
 If we give them all bath once Il week." stated the matron. we have done we'll"
 She then explained that the water was drawn in tiny streams from the oistern, placed over an open fire which burns in the ward. and when heated, lifted and dumped in the tub.
 The patient is then prepared for the "ablution.'
 "It's a pretty tough job when the weather is cold the matron explained.
 The pantry, or larder or commissary, is almost as crude as the bath. "T have had the cupboard lined with tin," explained the matron, and now the rats are not so bad. Have you ever heard Of our rat hunts? Well. about once week we go after the rodents pelt shoot. trap 'en, running 'em to earth-oh, we have a heap O fun with the rats.''
 The floor of the pantry Is the earth.
 It's all very crude. but . poor girl