The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-22
SUFFERING
WITH TUBERCULOSIS
Two Gases Reported and State Has
No Provision For Their Care and
Treatment
CATAwBA's LONG WAITING LIST
Consumptfon's Ravages In France
Result of Superficial Physical En-
animation of Trops. Must Not Be
Duplicated In American Armies.

The problem OF what is to be done
with the consumptives among our SOL
diers has already arisen according to
a statement made yesterday by Miss
Agnes D. Randolph. executive secre-
tary OF the Virginia Anti tuberculosis
association. Two cases have been re-
ported 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 me tubercu1ous-
neither hospital beds. dispensaries
nor nurses. Catawba has 1853 beds.
all of which are full and the waiting
list is almost as long as the capacity
of the sanatorium.
A Disease of the Present War.
tuberculosis is the disease OF the
present war. France. Canada and
Germany have found II one OF the
most serious war problems. In
France the disease has made frightful
ravages and in the opinion OF Her
mann Biggs. health commissioner of
New York state, sent to France on a
special mission. Il even threatens the
future vitality ard economic develop
u1ent of the nation"
The conditions In Virginia do not
differ widely from those In France.
There are only $50 beds for the tu-
berculous In the state. Catawba has
long waiting list. Danvtlle has ad-
nl!tted few patients from outside OF
the city. but is now running It's
twenty fve-hed hospital with a wait
ing list: There are few vacant beds
In conn section with tne Norfolk city
home. Pine Camp is full. II SOL
diers are sent back from the camps
with tuberculosis. there will not be a
place In the state in which they can
be treated. Already two need hos
pital treatment and none can be pro-
vided
WIN Ask Exemption Boards Aid.
Miss Randolph stated today that
efforts would be made TO prevent the
condition arising in Virginia which
has caused such suffering In France.
The state board of health will COM
munfcate 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 associations to enroll
volunteer experts who will make
periodic chest examinations in the
mobilization camps and watch eus-
pected cases. In France the situation
arose from sending men into the
trenches who already had incipient
and physical examinations being very
superficial.
II the disease can he found early
through these preca utions. II will be
possible to prevent it from doing the
"a me terrible damage that It has done
in France. where 10000 men have
been sent back from the trenches with
open consumption.
No Place For Treatment
But even though these precautions
are taken and the soldiers kept at
home there will be no place in which
they can secure hospital treatment.
American Red Cross will be in a po-
sition to aid in their care. but the
proper machinery for their treatment
has not been provided.
The two cases which have been
reported are both in counties where
no provisions whatever have been
made for their care. Those commu
mites which have made provisions
will ind them inadequate to meet the
growing problem.
Must Re Farfiung Campaign.
Thoughtful persons have long since
seen and urged the grave necessity of
tremendously increasing the states
provision for those who suffer from
the great plague. Not less than four
institutions like Catawha are needed
for the white population, while one
large central sanatorium. capable of
accommodating a thousand patients.
should be developed for the negro
population.