Evening star., 1927-04-26
PROGRAM IS URGED
FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
tuberculosis Association Di-
reCtors viii Send Plan to
Efficiency Bureau.

A definite program Of public health
services believed to be urgently need
ed by the District of Columbia is TO
be formally brought to the attention
of the Federal Governments Bureau
of Efficiency as the result of action
taken last night at a meeting of the
board of directors of the tuberculosis
Association.
The action was taken in response to
the invitation of the Bureau Of Eff
cheney. which is now engaged in a
study of the provision for public
health in the District, and included
the following eight points:
az A staff Of school physicians and
school nurses sufficient in number to
carry out the policy already approved
by the Board of Education and Health
Office-namely, the examination Of
every child entering the kindergarten
or first primary grade for the discov-
cry of remediable physical defects
and other corrections at the earliest
possible moment.
(2) A sufficient staff of dental exam
iners and dental hygienists to take
part in such examination.
Open-Air Schools.
(3) The increase in the number of
dental clinics with equipment and nee
essary personnel.
(D Sanatorium care on a 24-hour
basis for children suffering from tuber-
culosis in active form.
(5l One or more residential open-air
schools (preyentoriums) for the type
of children now attending the two
health schools and who may have
been excluded from the regular grades
because Of their physical condition,
but who do not give evidence of suffer
ing from active tuberculosis, with posi-
tive sputum, and who are therefore
not a menace to other children. Re-
marks: Under this head may be in
cluded--(a) Children exposed to tuber-
culosis in their own homes or contact
cases. OBJ Children seriously under
weight, whose home conditions are not
conducive to sound physical develop
ment. (cl Convalescent children who
need prolonged period of medical
supervision with abundance of fresh
air, good food and the sort of care
which such an institution would be
prepared to render.
(6) A larger personnel of both physi-
clans and nurses for the tuberculosis
health clinic under the Health Depart
ment and for follow-up and instructive
service in the homes of patients.
I'd The continuance or the occupa-
tional therapy department at the Tu-
berculosis Hospital as a part of the
regular regime of the hospital under
regular appropriation by Congress.
C) More open-window classes.
Visiting Nurses Aid.
It is pointed out that for some
months past the tuberculosis Associa-
ton has been providing the Health De-
partment with two visiting nurses to
do follow-up work in the homes of
patients and that for the past four
years the association has conducted a
department of occupational therapy at
.the tuberculosis Hospital at its own
expense with the expectation that as
soon as the usefulness of this work
was demonstrated provision would be
made for its support at public expense
as part of the regular budget of the
institution.
DIR. j. w. Peabody, the superintend-
ent of the hospital, in his last report
to the Board of Public Welfare, strong
ly indorsed the occupational therapy
work and urged that Congress be asked
to make provision for its continuance.