The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-06-16
u. S. PLANNING HEALTH
TOWNS FOR SOLDIERS
tuberculosis Victims Could Work Way
to Health in Communities Estab-
lished in National Forests.

Atlantic City, June l6.-Specisl re-
construction towns may be established
by the government in The near future
where soldiers suffering from tuberculo-
sis can regain their health and at the
same time work at light trades to fit
themselves for full return to industrial
life, said Col. Estes Nichols, command
ant, U. s. A. general hospital No. 49,
New Haven, Conn, in addressing the an.
nual meeting of the National Tuberculo-
sis association to-day on "0ccupational
Therapy"
s'This is being considered" he said, "as
part of Uncle Sans plans for vocational
e-education which, since the armistice
has for its purpose the fitting of men
disabled by the war for new occupations
in civil life"
The idea of special communities for
these men and their families has been
advanced by Captain +. A. Waugh, sani-
tary corps, U. S. A., and would be for
the purpose of bridging over the gap be-
tween sanatorium treatment and full re-
turn to industry
"These towns" said Col. Nichols,
might be located upon lands in the ma
tional forests, This would permit of the
setting up of attractive and healthful
woodworking industries for the patients
and afford an opportunity for them to
retain permanent control of land hold
ings after they were cured
mo matter where these towns might
be located proper medical supervision
would be necessary" he said, "but where
as medical treatment has first place in
sanatorium care of sufferers from tuber-
culosis, productive industry would take
precedence in the proposed reconstruc-
tion towns. These communities would
require financial assistance at first but
might eventually become self-support-
ing"
The responsibility of the government
for the proper care and training of the
tuberculous soldier was discussed by
Captain S. NJ. North, S. c., U. S. A., chief
of reconstruction work at general hos
largest group of tuberculous patients
ever congregated at one place are being
cared for.
The value of more centralized control
in tuberculosis in so far as ii rCaltes to
the activities Of the o. S. public health
service, was outlined by Surgeon b. J.
Lloyd. of that service. In referring TO
the magnitude of the tubereulous prob
lem, DR.. Lloyd said that the building of
the Panama canal was but a days work
in comparison to the eradication of the
disease.
"The 'tuberculous problem when re.
duced to its lowest terms" he said,
means the germ of tuberculosis on the
one hand, and the newborn babe on
the other. Inasmuch as no baby is ever
born with tuberculosis, If the two could
be kept apart there would not be any
tuberculosis problem"
DR.. Lloyd emphasized the need Of a
division of tuberculosis in the u. S. pub
lie health service This, he said, would
permit of co operative correlation of the
activities of all bodies and departments
of the government engaged in tubercu-
losis work
The provision the government is max
ing for tuberculous soldiers, as well as
the care voluntary organizations are
giving civilians rejected by draft boards
because of unsupported cases of the dis
ease was discussed by William H. Bald
win, chairman, committee on federal leg
islation, National tuberculosis associa-
ton
The need from an economic standpoint
of national health program with close
cooperation between the public and pri.
vate berth officials was detailed by John
R. Commons, professor of economics of
the University of Wisconsin.