Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-25
VALUABLE WORK BEING CARRIED ON BY STATE
UlAGNoSIlC LABORATORY At ANNUAL PER
CAPlIA COST TO TAX PAYERS OF five CENTS
Dr. Walter c. Nelson Tells Ro-
tarians Of $1,000 Tests Made
At Laboratory During Past
year Important Phase
Health Department Work

Iaiking upon his own classifica-
ton, that Of Diagnostician at the
state Laboratory, DR.. Walter c, Mel
son held the interest and attention
OF his fellow club members through a
most entertaining forty minutes dis
course, at the regular meeting of the
notary Club held Friday evening at
the Augusta House.
DR.. Nelson explained the functions
OF the State Laboratory, established
Tor the control Of epidemics and dis
ease and OF the several branches of
the experimental and research work
carried on by him and his assistants.
During the past year a total of 21,OOO
tests were executed at the Iaborator
land 400 Of these were the difficult
tissue examinations, made with the
object OF determining the existence
and degree of malignancy of cancer.
The records Of the Diagnostic Lab
oratory show that $50 physicians
sought the aid of the State Labora-
tory, and as there are about one
thousand physicians in the state It
Is obvious that most of them use the
facilities Of this department of the
State Health organization.
AS to the cost of maintnance of the
State Diagnostic Laboratory, DIR.
Nelson told his hearers that the ap-
priximate cost last year was $4,000,
which Is an average cost per year
to the tax payer of about five cents,
lone half the cost of a good cigar"
DIR. Nelson described the divisions
Of the laboratory work, Bacteriology.
Pathology and Chemistry. He inter
estingly explained the individual
characteristics OF some Of the more
common disease germs, and illustrat-
ed his remarks by the use of charts
"The majority of bacteria are not
disease producing" DIR. Nelson told
his audience ION the contrary If
we were to remove all of the bacter-
la from the world we would all pass
out with them. If 1t were not for
bacteria we could not live
So interested were the Rotarians
in the talk by the director of the
states diagnostic laboratory that
several of them Immediately accept
ed DR.. Nelson's invitation to visit
the establishment, where he could
more completely explain the proceed
ure and work of his department.
There was a splendid attendance al
the supper session last evening, ana
feature of the informal program
was the chorus singing of the Ro-
tarians, under the direction of Jack
Mahan. With Harrison Lyseth play
ing the piano accmpaniments. Mu-
steal Director Mahan infused MS
chorus with a proper conception OF
musical harmony and the big group
operated upon several new songs
with a success that was revelation
to the capabilities and inherent
talent of the membership.
Past President Everett V. Perkins
called attention to Clinton Kay
Thompson. former physical. director
at Cony High school. now freshman
coach at Bates College, who was one
of a group in the main dining room
and at the direction of the clun
nresident. Mr.. Perkins, Harrison Ls
seth and Chester Fuller acted as
committee of escort. and Coacl'
THOMPSON was brought into the pan
ouet room, where he received rous
mo welcome from his Rotarlar'
friends. He briefly stated his pleas
ire ar being in Augusta even TOT tne
brief time occasioned by his attehu :
ance ait the organization session o,
the Maine athletic directors anu
commended the citizens of Augusta
for the forward step taken IN au,lol
izing the building of a new anu i''i
er Cony High school,