Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-11-27
AUGUSTA ANTI-TU-
BERCULOSIS LEAGUE
REPORT OF SECRETARY
Read by Rev. Paul S. Phalen at
The Last Meeting of League,
Nov. II, at Library Hall


ia nti-Tuberculosis League, which
was read and accepted at the last
meeting of the league, held Nov. IL at
Library hall. The report sums up the
work of the league during the past
year and brings out strongly the
needs of the organization at the pres
ent time in order to carry ON all it's
work in an efficient manner. The back
ing of the citizens Of Augusta and or
the ministers of the churches in the
city is desired. Next Sunday has been
designated as tuberculosis Sunday and
the league has sent material to the
ministers of the city for use on that
day. Those who attend church next
Sunday will be able to appreciate the
good work that the league is doing
and realize that such work can be car
ried on only with the financial and
moral support of the citizens Of Au-
gusta. With the same support given
the league next year as during this
year, the secretary looks forward to
year of increasing efficiency for the
league, which result for the best in
terests of the city as a. unit:
The Augusta Anti Tuberculosis
League is celebrating it's second birth
day this afternoon. In terms of dol
lars and cents it has. enjoyed a year
of moderate prosperity. The treasurer
has been so supplied with funds that
the league has been able to pay its
bills, and to carry out its somewhat
limited program without embarrass-
ment. Gifts of money have been made
to the league by individuals, by
churches, societies and associations.
Three individuals gave 800 each, 81,
81 each. and a small number sums
greater than 81 and less than 800. The
Charity tea. held on New Years day,
1914, and which ought to be repeated
this year, gave the league s36557; the
Nurses Association of Augusta
through a dance held early in the year
raised s121.75, and an unofficial sale
of Red Cross seals brought us S34.SS.
These and other contributions will be
given in detail by the treasurer in his
report.
From that report you will see that
the league, by narrow margin on
the right side, however, has been able
to carry on its work through the ex-
penditure of about $500. Also it will
be readily seen that its treasury is
nearly empty and that it will there
fore need with the beginning of its
new year in December the assurance
of at least $500 and really should
have $500 in order to meet all pos
sible emergencies that may arise.
Practically all of this sum has been
passed upon the maintenance of the
leagues free dispensary at 172 Water
street, and in the paying of the SAL
aries of the medical director and the
visiting nurse. The dispensary has
been open four hours week through
out the year. On Tuesdays from II A.
NJ. to i P. NJ. and ON Friday evenings
from until 9. A comparison of the
medical directors report of this year
with that of last year shows that IS
patients were treated this year as
against 26 last year. That there were
$50 visits by patients to the dispen-
sary this year whereas there were on
ly As last year. That the percentage
of improvement in patients treated.
one third, has been about the same
this year as last, while the death rate
among our patients has fallen from
five last year to two for this year. In
this connection it should be remem-
bered that last years report covered
only period of about eight months,
while the report for this year is for
the full year up to Nov. 1. The fact
that there have been about six times
as many visits to the dispensary this
year over last, and that of our I'M
improved patients. four have sent to
the Fairfield sanitarium are encour
aging signs of the increased value of
the dispensary. OF these patients sent
to the sanitarium, two were able TO
go because friends contributed to-
ward their expenses, one was sent by
the Woman's Charitable Association
and one by Miss Muriel Haynes.
Every case of tuberculosis that the
dispensary can treat or that can be
discovered by the medical director and
sent to the sanitarium means one
more potential case of infection rem
dered harmless, and also means that
one more sufferer has a chance Of
life.
Again the record of 672 visits made
by the visiting nurse means
not only the actual assistance
and comfort brought to the patients,
but also the spreading Of helpful in
formation and instruction against the
further spread of the, disease. On the
whole it would seem that the dispen-
sary under the wise direction of DR..
Mckay, who has been faithfully as
sisted by Miss Helen Dunn, as visit
ing nurse, has just about doubled its
usefulness and therefore to make use
Of present popular phrase, its eff
cheney this year as an agency for the
prevention of tuberculosis in our city,
as we'll as bring hope and courage,
and healing to many who might not
otherwise have shared in these bless
ings.
|. To some it may seem that our pro-
gress is slow and somewhat discourag-
ing. That $500 to $500 which we need
for our work is a good deal of money
to spend each year for such results as
we baAe IN reDOrt this afternoon I'm