The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-02-12
SERVICE RENDERED BY STATE
METEOROLOGICAL LAB
ORATORIES

ORATORIES
Under the title of Maryland
Physicians Served by Local Labora-
tories" an interesting account of the
service rendered to the people of
Maryland, by the Bureau of Bac-
teriology of the State Department of
Health through the Central and
Branch laboratories, that has at
tracted widespread attention, is
given in the current number of the
Nations Health" The article was
prepared, late in the fall. by Dir.
R. C. Salter, the brilliant and greatly
beloved young scientist, who was
chief of the Bureau from 1920 until
his death on December 5, 1925, and
who was largely responsible for the
development of the plan under which
laboratory facilities have been ex-
tended to every section of the
state.
Reference is made in the article.
to the fact that each extension has
been undertaken in response to local
demand and to meet community
need. Only one branch labora-
tory-the one in Cumberland-was
in existence when DR.. Salter became
chief of the State Bureau of Bac.
teriology in 1920. Now, in addition
to the Central Laboratory in Balti-
more city, there are branches at
Cumberland, established in 1925;
Hagerstown, 1921; Hurlock, 1922;
Frederick, 1928; and Washington.
opened in 1924. Besides being CEN
tiers for diagnostic tests and anal
Uses, the laboratories serve as stor-
age and distributing points for anti
toxin, smallpox and typhoid vaccines,
for supplies furnished to patients
suffering from tuberculosis; and for
other materials distributed by health
officers, physicians and public health
nurses in connection with the state
wide activities for the control OF
communicable diseases.
A map of the state and other
Illustrations, show the ways through
which this net work of laboratories
is operated so that no doctor has to
wait more than twenty four hours
for a report of test made for
typhoid vaccines, for supplies fur
nished to patients suffering from
tuberculosis; and for other materials
distributed by health officers, physi-
clans and public health nurses in
connection with the statewide
activities for the control OF COM
municable diseases.
A map of the state and other il
Illustrations, show the ways through
which this net work of laboratories
is operated so that no doctor has to
wait more than twenty-four hours
for a report of test made for
typhoid, diphtheria or other COM
municable disease, and so that no
child who comes down with diph-
iberia is more than three hours dis
tant from the relief-giving anti-toxin.
The cooperative principle has en-
tered into the maintenance of all OF
the laboratories. The Central Lab
oratory and the one at Hurlock ARE
financed entirely from state funds.
The others are financed through
combinations of state, county,
school or other local funds.
The number of tests and analyses
made each year was over three
times as great in 1925 as in 1920.
During that year, the total number
of tests and analyses made in the
Central and the Cumberland labora-
tories was 1880. In 1925, the
total was 52,22S. e.
According to recent reports from
the State Department of Health the
value of the tests and analyses
made in 1921, without charge to
the people of Maryland, il charged
for at commercial rates, amounted to
S132,462. The value of the tests
made in 1925, estimated at COM
mercial rates, reached total OF
over $327,5SO. Included in this
were 954O tests for typhoid; 12,7S2
for diphtheria; 927 tuberculosis
examinations; 4843 ARCHAEOLOGICAL
analyses of milk; 1857 bacteria
logical analyses of water; and 9l77
complete treatments of anti-typhoid
vaccine. Over 1000 miscellaneous
examinations for which commercial
rates are not obtainable, are not
included in the estimated value OF