The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-12-30
THE TRAcHoMA SITUATION
Hon. Fred H. Dominick Issues State.
ment In Regard to Trachoma Situa-
ton In Newberry.

ton In Newberry.
Congressman Fred H. Dominick to-
day gave out the following statement
as to the trachoma situation in New
berry county:
The trachoma "muddle" in New
berry county is very unfortunate
from every viewpoint. The sub
stance of an old saying is that when
doctors disagree, then the patient
dies. I sincerely hope and trust that
this will not prove true in this case.
Several weeks ago, DIR. J. A.
Hayne, the State Heath officer wired
me that there were numerous cases
of trachona in a certain section of
Newberry county and requested that
T. have an expert from the public
health service sent there to investi-
gate the matter. I Immediately took
the mater up with Rupert Blue, the
Surgeon General of the United States
Public Health service who promised
me that he would send an expert just
as soon as one was available. In the
meantime, DR.. Hayne again wired
me that conditions were growing
worse and asked for the establish
ment of clinic. This was promised
me by DR.. Blue and as a result OF
nv request, which was made at the
instance of the State Health Officer,
DR.. J. L.. Goodwin was sent here. he
did not come of his own accord, or
to establish himself in the practice
of his profession or>to place himself
in a position to receive patients or
CLIENTELE, nor cid the United States
Public Health service come here
through it's representative, voluntar-
ily, but only after urgent solicitations
and efforts on my part and lpon the
suggestion of the state board 0f
health.
The controversy that has been go
ing on since, both in the newspapers
and public and private conversations
has been painful and mortifying and
especially to the parents Of The chill
dren who have been examined.
AS to the experience and ability OF
DIR. Goodwin, who WAS sent here by
the Federal government, my infor-
nation is, that following an expert
ence of eight years in the general
practice of medicine after graduation
from reputable medical college, ne
studied twelve months in various eye
clinics in this country, both East
and South He then went to
Europe for twelve months and placed
himself under the personal instruc-
ton of Fuch, Mueller and LAUDER OF
Vienna, Collins, Worth, Mayo and
others of London, all of whom are
possibly known by South Carolina
experts, by reputation at least. DR..
Goodwin was later engaged in city
special eye practice for seven years.
In 1916, the United States Public
Health service established free ira
choma hospital of 24-bed capacity
in Tennessee, and DR.. Goodwin was
placed there as medical officer in
charge. ! An average of twenty or
more trachoma patients ranging in
age from three months to seventy
five years have been under his obser-
walton and treatment during his stay
at that hospital. His duties require
that he make surveys in various Sec
tions of the country for trachonna,
and during these surveys, he examines
from 5000 to 10000 children in
rural schools each year. During this
wear he has lamined over 11,000
pupils in a northern state and held
clinics to cure the trachoma cases
found in that survey. l am setting
out these facts in justice to Doctor
Goodwin and the United States Pub
lie Health service and to show the
character, ability and experience OF
the man sent here by the Public
Health service, at my request, to
take charge of situation where. aid
was requested by the state health
officer.
However, in view Of the "muddle"
I have requested DR.. Blue to send
DR.. McMullen, who I understand has
devoted practically all Of his pro-
fessional career to the study OF this
disease and is one Of the foremost
experts in this country on it, to
South Carolina for conference on
the situation and my adviees at this
time indicate that he will be able to
Ia haro ,,,;tb;n the next few daVS