White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1925-05-01
ANNUAL MEETING OF
TUBERCULOSIS LEAGUE

The annual meeting of the Bsntcn
County tuberculosis League was
held in the Carnegie Library at
Prosser, Tuesday. April u, Mrs.
B. B. Buchanan, Executive Secretary
Of the Washington tuberculosis
Assn, Miss Gage County Club
Leader, and Miss Monica M. Wieber,
County tuberculosis Nurse, being
the principal speakers.
The main subjects discussed were
publicity for the work, Bovine Tub
erculosis, and plans for the next
year. The fact was brought out
that since the founding of the Nat
ional tuberculosis Association in
1904 deaths from tuberculosis in
the United States have decreased
from 200 deaths per 100000 persons
to "a per 100000, thus saving more
than $4,000 lives annually. Tuber-
culosis now occupies third place in
the death rate where formerly it
was first; heart disease and cancer
heading the list at present.
The following officers were elected;
President, Mrs. Q. K. Williamson,
Prosser; Vice President, DR.. F. S.
Hedger, Kicna; Secretary, Ms. E. B.
McGregor, Prosser; Treasurer, Mrs.
A. c. Crawford, Prosser. Mrs. R. H.
Briggs, Kennewick, was elected Vice
President, taking the place of Mrs.
A. r. Gardner who is not resident
Of the county.
Tho annual rornr% &c %ha Roo+o-,
County tuberculosis Nursing Ser
vice was given as the Executive
Board of the tuberculosis League
acts in an advisory capacity for this
department. County Nursing work
in Benton County consists of tuber-
culosis nursing primarily, covering
the preventive as well as curative
phase. Through health examinations,
health training in schools, attention
to the nutrition of infants and child
rem, many tuberculosis infections
do not develop into tuberculosis
disease. The correction of physical
defects such as-corrective dentistry,
removal Of infected tonsils, correc-
ton Of vision through properly fitted
glasses, all help in building up the
resistance to tuberculosis. According
to the report given by Miss Weber,
school nursing in this county in
cludcd physical examination, weigh
ing and measuring the children, a
survey to determine the prevalence
of simple go;ter and the introduc-
ton of preventive goiter treatment
in one school tine children were given
the Shick test, which is skin test
to find those susceptible to diphtheria.
Those who showed a positive re-
action were given toxin-antitoxin. In
another school, those who SO wished,
were immunized against whooping-
cough. Work of this nature was I'M
dertaken when the particular disease
threatened to become epidemic.
In order to control tuberculosis
every case must be found. To cure
tuberculosis the case must be found
IN the early stages. In Benton County
seven chest clinics, conducted by a
chest specialist sent out by the Wash
ington tuberculosis Assn. con
tributed towards controlling tuber-
culosis. At these clinics 80 patients
were examined. In some instances it
was impossible to complete the dag
nosis, in every case gtle standards Of
diagnosis were discussed and the pa.
tlent referred for further examination
a report of the findings sent to their
family physician. %
Seven Child Health Conferences
were held during the year. This is
new phase of County Nursing in
the State of Washington, and is
made possible through the Child
Hygiene Division of the State Board
OF Health. 533 children under SIX
years of age were examined. At
these conferences the parents are
told what the general condition OF
the Child's Health is, what habits
might improve it, what defects, II
any. ere present, and are referred te
their family physician for treatment
and correction.
Five children were taken to the
Orthoped'c Hospital in Seattle for
treatment. Everyone in the Pacific
Northwest knows what wonderful
work this hospital does and we con.
slider ourselves privileged to be able
to get help for our children through
this hospital.
Investigating cases for County Re.
Lief and Mothers Pensions has been
done through the Nursing department.
1t is well known that many times
people are forced to ask for financial
help because Of illness in the family
Where medical problem exists eff.
forts to relieve or correct these
were made, and in many cases tina,
solved the financial one.
The number cf calls made curing
the year were as follows: Calls or
patients 375; home calls on school,
Children 1853: visits to schools go
county relief calls IS; other calls
sos.
Miss Weber further reported tina,
Saturday of every week has beer
considered as eff ce cay, day wher
telephone calls will reach her ii
Prosser, and anyone wishing to see
her may do SO by coming to her
office in the Court House.
Mrs. B. E. McGREGOR, Sec'y