River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1922-06-08
Much tuberculosis
Found At River
Falls Clinic
One Out of Every Three Patients Ex-
amined Has White Plague
SANATORIUM BADLY NEEDED


Pronouncing the River Falls Free
Chest Clinic held recently at the Ar
mory as one of the most successful
held in the state both from the view
point of local spirit and cooperation
and from the number of important
and interesting cases found, the Wis
consin Tuberculosis association
makes it's final report of the findings
at the clinic.
Over 33 per cent of the lot patients
examined at the clinic were found to
have tuberculosis in some form or
other. Fourteen of these cases were
in such condition that they were
urged to enter sanatoria at once, not
only because this form of treatment
offers them the best chances of get
ting we'll, but also in order to pro-
tect their families from the danger
of infection.
Among those who were found to
have tuberculosis, or in whom the
disease was suspected, as final di-
agnosis is not always possible in one
examination, were four Normal school
boys, and FIVE grade and high school
pupils. Two little boys of thirteen.
and a girl of IA were among these,
and the examiners felt that they
would all do best in sanatorium.
Fortunately these cases were nearly
all in the incipient stages, and with
proper care at once it is believed
that they will completely recover. 8
The River Falls clinic revealed a
much higher percentage of tuberculo-
sis than is usually found at these
demonstrations by the state associa-
ton, the average being 20 per cent,
and only three or four clinics have
had as high a percentage during the
past three years. This was probably
due to the large number of contact
cases, the examiner stated, as of the
LOT patients examined having been
exposed to tuberculosis for pro,ong-
ed period.
The immediate need of engaging a
county public health nurse, and OF
providing for sanatorium for Pierce
county was shown by this revelation
OF the alarming prevalence of tuber-
culosis, workers stated.
Patients who were advised to enter
sanatoria are finding difficulty in get
ting in, as most of the institutions IN
the state are filled and have waiting
lists, and patients from outside
counties must wait until all county
patients are taken care of in their
own institutions. The fact that pa
tients must go long way from home
in order to get this treatment, which
is considered the best, is also diff
cult problem, especially in the case OF
children.
Other findings at the clinic in adj
dition to the tuberculosis cases were:
simple goitre, 81 cases; toxic goitre,
g, defective teeth, 80 cases; defective
tonsils, 80; enlarged glands, 20;
anaemia, 10; malnutrition 6 ;heart
trouble, 10. Over 80 of the patients
examined were referred to local ply
sicians for treatment for various rea-
sons. It'll is estimated that over 15o
patients were turned away without
examination, because of lack of time.
Enthusiasm over the clinic and its
value not only to the individual cit
liens but also to the community at
large has been expressed on all sides,
and it is hoped that another clinic
with more examiners and for longer
tine may be held here next year.
Many patients in their gratitude
for the examination and advice off
cred to pay the examiner, but all We're
told that they might show their ap-
probation by boosting the seal sale
next year, thus making more extern
sive life-saving work possible not on
w for River Falls, but for the state
and nation as we'll 1t is the desire
of DR.. R. u. Cairns, head of the To-
cal Tuberculosis association,
who is largely responsible for the sue
cess of the clinic, to make possible
these free medical examinations for
the people of River Falls by having a
clinic at least once year, and he is
already planning his campaign to
raise the necessary funds by the
largest Christmas seal sale in the his
tory of the city.
High praise for the splendid spirit
shown by the medical profession
throughout the county and for the ex-
cellent assistance given by volunteer
workers is expressed by the state as
eoo;o%son