The Washington herald., 1913-02-26
Tuberculosis Association
Holds Experience
Meeting.
GEN. STERNBERG PRESDES
Law for Compulsory Removal Of
Patients Refusing to Observe
Rules Deemed Necessary.

The necessity for further municipal con-
troll Of tuberculosis was brought out at
an experience meeting held last evening
at the rooms of the Association for the
Prevention Of Tuberculosis. This was the
regular monthly meeting Of the Board
Of Directors. 1t took, however. the form
Of q symposium on the topic: THE
Spread Of Infection in Tuberculosis Fam
lilies"
Among those who participated in the
discussion were DIR. A. l. Murray, OF the
Health Department; DIR. W. W.T.Tewksbury.
Superintendent of the Municipal Tuber-
culosis Hospital; DR.. Charles A. Pfender.
of the Children's Hospital; Miss Isabel
L. Strong. Superintendent OF the Instruc-
tive Visiting Nurse Society; Mrs. Lillian
Edwards, Miss Olive Gordon, and Miss
NJ. II. Pierson. special visiting nurses to
tuberculosis families.
The point especially emphasized in the
discussion was the necessity for securing
law for the compulsory removal Of
patients who refuse to observe rules of
hygiene. Many cases were cited where
the disease Is contracted because Of the
refusal of the patient either to go to the
hospital or to observe ordinary rules of
protection In the home. The danger of
the infection Of children who are-particu-
larly susceptible TO the disease was men,
toned by several of the speakers.
Disease Starts EARLY.
Attention was called to the conclusions
Of investigators whose findings are gen.
orally accepted. namely, that the disease
Is almost invariably contracted in child
hood; that where the bodily resistance is
good the germs remain latent. but where
the environment is unfavorable the germs
are likely TO become active-the moral
being that everybody should practice
proper rules Of hygiene in order to keep
the body resistance strong.
common cause of infection in the
home. which in the opinion OF many of
the speakers does not receive sufficient
attention. is the habit OF coughing or
sneezing without protecting the mouth or
nose by holding a handkerchief in front
OF II. The fine spray produced by such
coughing on the part of an active case
of tuberculosis has been shown to be
filled with virulent living germs capable
of injecting persons who are in close
proximity to the one coughing.
William II. Baldwin, for tn, committee
on legislation. reported an unsuccessful
attempt to secure action LOOKING 10 pro-
vision for two school nurses in the ap-
preparation bill now under dis >ussion,
and also pa ssage OF the bill for Il q COM
pulsory removal of dangerous ami care
less consumptives, introduced as lar back
as 1911. Another measure that is also
quiescent in that regulating the use of
cups. In all OF these measures
the association is distinctly in sympathy
and is prepared to give active support to
their adoption at an early date.
0pen-air Improves.
DR.. William c. Gwynn spoke Of a visit
which he had made to the OPEN air school
rooms at the Blake and Stevens schools
respectively. The pupils in these rooms
continue TO show most gratifying re-
suits. both in studies. in physical de-
ve1opment, and in regular attendance
DIR. Gwynn expressed the hope that these
fresh-air rooms would he multiplied
the city in the various school
buildings. He cited the case of a pupil
who, before entering the room. had been
suffering from bronchial trouble, where
the trouble had disappeared during the
and of another pupil suffer
ing from nervous trouble, which had
been allayed by the fresh-air treatment.
Unfortunately on leaving the room by
promotion to an upper grade both pupils
suffered a relapse due to being placed in
the ordinary closed room.
Gen. George NJ. Sternberg, president Of
the association, presided. and other men,
bers of the board of directors present
were Emile Berlinger. Max Cohen. DR..
c. Gwynn. DR.. George NJ. Kober.
Mrs. John McLaughlin. DIR. G. Lloyd
Magruder. DR.. Jesse III. Ramsburgh, Dr.
z. c. Schroeder, Miss Isabel L. Strong,
and W. 9. Ufford.