Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-02-18

At present there is no institution III tV
state that will admit a case of TINS t>Pe'
and very few without the state pn'
even II you could find institutions pe'
yond the borders of the state tina WON"
admit these cases, II would not ne au-
visa bic to send them 80 far away FROM
home. Every tuberculosis worker nov
admits the ACCESSIBILITY of caring FOR I'LL
patients as near home as possible
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD J. ROGERS
Superintendent and Medical Director.
Inquiries have been addressed to the
various hospitals of the state as TO
their equipment and Willingness to
care for patients affected with tuber-
culosis. Two such institutions have
expressed a willingness to consider
the matter If funds can be provided.
Further inquiries have been address
ed to all the New England states. and
to New York state. also. as to what
measures are thought necessary to
safeguard the lives Of citizens of those
States. A member of the commission
was present at the mid-wintcr meeting
of the American Sanatoria association
at Middlcboro. Massachusetts, and con-
ferred personally with men represent
ivy all SeCtlOnS VI II tountiS anu Va
exactly the same footing as private pay
patients. and no distinction is made be-
tween them.
In addition to State aid, the mn
Chapter of the American Red Cross So
ciety has each year contributed money
toward the support of individual patients.
During 1914 they have aided seven cases,
expanding s5l42S. OF course, 1t is inn
ut - tbo MANY ipdiyid-
uals and corporations who have aided
their employees or proteges throughout
the State.
The striking need of the state OF YER
mont. however, is a place where one can
send a far advanced case of tuberculosis.
Canada as to the needs of a state in
handling this most insidious and dan
gerous disease.
The conditions in Vermont show mat
for the year 1913 there were 374 deaths
in the State from all forms of tubcr-
culosis. 1t is accepted by authorities
on the subject that 1t Is approximate
to figure ten open cases for each
death. This would mean that, within
the State. in the year 1918, there were
3,74O people affected with the disease.
During the same year IS patients were
uliilttt " th' iilplt hoih
at Pitsford. Up to November /, 1914.
there have been reported to the State
board of health 1880 cases Of tuber-
culosis. of which number 81 were con-
sidered advanced. OF the estimated
3.740 cases in 1913. private charity
cared for IS. and, for the first time.
the State of Vermont assisted in car
ing for about 30 of this number.
rl--.- " oo l.. a.
State known to your commission,
where an advanced INDECENT tubercu-
lar patient may be cared for. and we
. have the record of, at least, 81 persons
in advanced stages of the disease who
: are remaining in their homes. spread
: ing the disease to Innocent members,
while the State ignores the danger to
her citizens.
, WHAT NEW ENGLAND HAS DONE.
] Aside from private institutions and the
efforts Of various charitable organizations
IN the East. the problem has resolved
a Itself into answering the following ques-
9 tons:
~ Should the care Of advanced con-
: sulnptives be regarded as a State problem'
s to be handled directly by the state, in
State hospitals or sanatoria. or
: ~ should it he looked upon as a local
. problem, to be handled by local muni
cipalities under the general protection
and supervision of the State
The answer to these questions. by near
~ all the New England States, has been
the establishment Of. at least. one State
sanatorium, and the general plan OF
: substituting many private efforts in the
care Of the disease.
y Maine appropriates annually to the
support of the Maine state Sanatoriun
> association, and, also, to one other county
association,
J C) New Hampshire has one State and
D one private institution and a~ppropriates
approximately, $4,000 annually.
W go Massachusetts adopts both plans
g She has four State sanatoria, compel:
d municipalities of a certain population tC
- build hospitals. and subsidies where {
d patient has no settlement. She spends
Y as a State, about a half million dollar.
It annually. and probably another hal
t. million in private effort.
l. 90 Rhode Island has a State sana
torium located at Wallum lake. Furthe
ID data could not be secured.
q 80 Connecticut has four State sana
toria for the care Of tuberculosis in al
10 stages. mostly advanced cases, and 70
the fiscal year ending September 20, lN1i
expended 1896, S4S.S2.
a Vermont has one private sanatoriun.
20 gem of its kind, which will care 70
% about ~ patients In the early stages o
the disease. AS a State she has approprf
ated the sun of 5000 a year for the pas
al two years. This appropriation has bee
A. of great assistance to the people of tn
g State. but has been insufficient to NEE
the demands of the needy upon it. It wa
nc designed for the treatment of all stage
of the disease. but, as there is at tn
Il. present time no place within the State. q
,s in another state, where care may b
nd had at a rea sonable figure. its use ha
-, been necessarily limited to the earl
and middle stages of the disease.
Is vERMONT's PROBLEM.
to Vermont's problem is, then brief
lie stated:
ne % To encourage. by state subsidy, III
establishment by local hospitals. of ware
nd for the care of advanced consumption; {
So () The erection and maintenance b
Ike the State of one hospital of 30 beds. Il
the care of late cases of the diseas
lot Your commission believes that the nee
les of such an institution is very pressing.
in The cost OF constructing such a hosp
,es tai, in adjoining States, varies from -
ha TO 500 per CAPITA. Massachusetts h;
lat constructed such buildings, which ha'
ily been inspected by the commission. at
eat cost of from 81, 900 to $3.50 600 with accom-