Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-22
CONSUMPTION AMONG
SOLDIERS Is PROBLEM
Already Two Cases Reported, with
No Provision Made for Their
Cnrc,

The problem OF what Is to be done
with the cousumptives among our SOL
dicrs has already arisen. according to
, "A statement made by Miss Agnes D..
! Randolph. executive secretary OF the
I Virginia Anti-tubcrculosiS Asspciation
, Two cases have been reported to the
! State Association.
( One of these cases is from Rock
/ bridge and one from AppomattoX
/ County In neither county are there
/ any provisions for the tuberculous-
! neither hospital beds, dispensaries. nor
/ nurses. Cutawba has 100 beds. all OF
| which are full and the waiting list is
almost as long as the capacity of the
sanatorium.
tuberculosis is the disease Of the
present war. France, Canada and
Germany have found it one Of the
most serious war problems. In France
the disease has made frightful ravaEeS
and in the opinion of Hermann Bisgs.
Health Commissioner of New York
state sent to France on a special mis-
sion. it even threatens the future vi
tally and economic development of
the nation"
The conditions in Virginia do not
differ widely from those in France.
There are only $50 beds for the tuher-
cuiouS in the state. Catawba has Il
long waiting list. Danvillc has adj
mittcd few patients from outside of
the city. but is now running its twenty
: five bed hospital with a waiting list
There arc few vacant beds in con-
nection with the Norfolk City Home
Pine Camp is full. If soldiers are sent
back from the camps with tuberculo-
sis. there will not be a place in the
State in which they can be treated
Already two need hospital treatment
and none can be provided.
Miss Randolph stated yesterday that
efforts would be made to prevent tho
condition arising in Virginia, which
has caused such suffering in France.
The State Board of Health will COM
municate with the exemption boards
asking their aid in securing definite
Information about the number of men
rejected on account Of tuberculosis
The National Association for the Study
and Prevention of Tuberculosis urges
the local associa tions to enroll VOL
un'eer experts. who will make periodic
chest examinations in mobilization
camps. and watch suspected cases.
In France the situation arose from
sending men into the trenches who al
ready had incpient tuberculosis. mob
ilization being rapid and physical ex-
aminations being very superficial.
If the disease can be found early
through these precautions. 1t will be
possible TO prevent 1t from doing the
same terrible damage that It has done
in France, where $4,000 men have
been sent back from the trenches with
open consumption.
Eut even though these precautions
are taken and the soldiers kept at
nome there Will he no place in which
they can secure hospital treatment.
The Civilian Relief Committee of the
American Red Cross will be in n DO
sition 10 aid in their care, but the
proper machinery for their treatment
has not been provided.
The two cases which have been re-
| ported are both in counties where no
provisions whatever have been r,do
for their care. These communities
which have made provisions will find
them inadequate to meet the growing
problem.