Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-11
CAMPAIGN ON SECRET"
DISEASES UNDER Wal
Prominent Physicians Pledge Healtl
Department Active Aid in
Movement.
SEND OUT FORMS THIS WEEP
Chief Health Omccr Says Aggrcssiy
Steps Arc Being Taken on Advlc
or Federal Autiioritics--No Undu
Publicity.

Ihat aggressive steps as 4 part o
the comprehensive campaign in nght
Ing secret" diseases In this CITY hay
already been taken was the announce
ment made yesterday by DR.. Roy I;
Flanagan, Chief Health officer of III
Richmond Health Department.. In lin
with this work. tho active aid OF tn
most prominent physicians In the cit
has been enlisted. The gratifying re
sponse of these physicians 10 the cal
of Or. Flanagan is expressive OF thei
realization OF the need of drastic step
to check the steady increase of com
municablc diseases In Richmond
There has been only one delay n
preventing the Health Department 4
gard to vencreal diseases into erecI
Dir. Flanagan has planned an extcn
sivc publicity and educational cam
paiSn dealing with the diseases, th
cures. clinics and other details Th
literature and forms have not yet bee
printed but Will be finished and dia
tributcd this week.
LABORATORY OF DEPARTMENT
WILL MAKE BLOOD TEST
However, the laboratory Of the Citl
Health Department is now prepare|
TO diagnose all such diseases. In thi
manner the department is prepared d
make free blood tests OF all domestic
employed In households, and especiallI
of girls employed for nursing small
children. iiouscholders may make er|
ploymcnt OF such help conditional upo(
the examination OF the Health Depart
4.
he can materially reduce the numbd
OF all contagious diseases by this prd
cedurc.
Dr. Flanagan said that no wishc|
TO emphasize the former announcement
that no undue publicity would be givcl
to the patient but In all cases thoI
wonld be treated as other unfortunate
This applies 10 tho reporting OF casJ
10 the Health Department and treaj
ment Mt clinics. In all Instances III
patient VIII be given all protected
possible In cases where the patie1I
IL already under treatment at cltnI
or ~ private physician his name vii
no. hc reported TO tho Health Depart
mcn,. but his case viii be reported n
serial number TIL" regulations corj
pei druggists ana physicians 10 reno}
theso cases by number TO the depart
ncut.
40 PUBLICITY WILL NJ
GIVEN TO PATIESyI
Only In Instances where the patio !
ghandons treatment before havi
been pronounced cured viii the ri
in regard TO publicity be Ruilldcd
such case the physician win rcrol
the name OF tho offender To the Heal
department. ana Or. Flanagan ~
rhas!zcs that the regulations give III |
the power 10 make tho offcnsc = IS
we're Guarantiuahlc disease"
Tho health officers % the city in
tho City Home. regular d!spcnsari
and I'll regular clinics have announc{
their intention 10 earnestly co-opcrn
with the Health Department and 4
eist DR.. Flanagan wherever possib
The whole purpose OF the departing
In declaring this local war is 20 IL
prove general health conditions.
This movement Is now. spreadh
throughout the country on the advi
OF the United States Public Heal
Service and War Department ofic!a
Action was crvstall!zcd In the Unit
States because OF tho great number
cnscr found when mon were called Z
~. National Army. Surgeon -Gener
Corgas. Of tho army. IL strong In y
Endorsement or such n movement al
ciarinE that drastic steps should
taken in every section at once.