Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-11-17
PLAGUE DEATH
TOLL DROPS 165
IN FIVE YEARS
Encouraging Results Shown in
County tuberculosis
Report.
MUCH YET TO BE DONE

AS a criterion Of the success which has
attended the efforts OF the Marion County
Tuberculosis Association to stamp out
the white plague" during the seven years
Of its life the fact that the number Of
deaths from the disease in the county
has been reduced from 6S7 in 1914 to 472
In 1919 is pointed out in the annual re-
port Of the association. The report was
prepared by Miss Mary A. Meyers, ex-
ecutive secretary, and has been sent TO
more than one hundred organizations in
terested in the work Of the association
The Christmas seal. through the sale
of which the association finances its
work, is paying for itself In lives saved.
but there is infinite work yet TO be done,
the report states. One death in every ten
in Marion County still is caused by tu-
berculosis.
There are at least 5000 cases in the
county and every case is known to infect
from two to ten well persons. The actual
money loss in the county from the ravages
Of the disease runs into millions Of
dollars
Among the most important accomplish
ments Of the association during the past
year has been the vital assistance rem
council OF an appropriation of $4,000
for the erection Of two more buildings
at Sunnyside sanitorium, the report says.
IS BEDS ADDED
TO INSTITUTION
These new buildings will house forty
five beds for children and seventy-two
beds for advanced cases. both cOlored and
white. and their addition to the plant
will mean that Marion County is among
the leaders OF the country in this phase
OF tuberculosis prevention work.
Health education, an increased tax levy
for tuberculosis work by the city board
Of public health, better facilities for the
fresh air public schools and splendid
curative work through the tuberculosis
clinics are among achievements which
the association points to with pride.
Specifically the report sets forth the
enlistment of the aid OF more than one
hundred organizations, such as civic
groups, labor unions, wOmen's clubs.
lodges and business mems bodies, Is one
of the big steps forward. Each Of these
has appointed health chairman" to
cooperate in the 1921 work.
The prevention Of tuberculosis among
the working people, a phase Of the work
which has not been given proper atten-
ton heretofore. is being carefully worked
out by an industrial secretary, who Is
placing exhibits and holding meetings
all over the county.
RESULTS IN CITY
SCHOOLS INTERESTING.
Among the most interesting features
Of the report is the statement Of results
obtained in the modern health crusade
conducted in the public schools. A to-
tai OF 42,165 school children were en-
rolled IN the movement and as u result
II .3Oi who were not previously IN the
habit Of washing their hands before eat
ing are now doing so, 7,15S have pur-
chased toOthbrushes, !. 163 have stopped
drinking coffee and tea. 1883 sleep witt
their windows open and 5,T0T have been
noted to have improved their personal
appearance.
The success Of the Flanner Guild house
clinic. established by the association in
February, 1919, and operated by it until
August Of this year, when it was taken
over by the city. is indicated by the
fact that 200 new patients were exam
tned, 756 returned for treatment, 3,133
visits TO homes were made by the nurses
sixteen were turned over to DR.. Hatch's
clinic and ten were sent 20 Sunnyside.
The central clinic report shows that
100 new patients were examined. 1882
returned from treatment and 219S visits
10 homes were made by nurses.
WORK OF VARIOUS
BRANCHES PRAISED.
The work at the LuCretia Mott and
Theodore Potter fresh air schools, con-
Quoted by the board of school commits
siOners. is praised, as is the work Of the
Indianapolis School Lunch Association,
which directed the work Of furnishing
milk lunches to pupils in ffty-one schools
last year.
From various sources the association
has received reports of returned soldiers
afflicted with tuberculosis. These cases
in Marion County totaled 131. in eleven
OF which death has since resulted, twenty
four have been under the care Of individ-
ual physicians, ten under the care OF
Government physicians, fifteen in Govern
ment sauatOriums, seven under observance
at the associations clinic. thirty-two ex-
AHMED ut the clinic, seven treated at
Sunayside snd twenty-three are receiving
compensation insurance.
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