Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-30
CLINIC REVEALS
TUBERCULAR CASES
Increased Number Thrusts
Serious Problem on Welfare
Societies, Officials Claim.

Discovery of an increasing number
OF Washington families infected swith
tuberculosis, revealed in the recent
Early diagnosis campaign conducted by
the tuberculosis Health Clinic, 1t was
declared today at the Associated Char
tiles. thrusts upon that welfare organi-
cation a serious problem.
Since the campaign in April, applica-
tlons to the Associated Charities for
assistance from tubercular parents and
children have increased considerably,
according to Miss Louise o. Bell, as
sistant secretary.
Perhaps one reason for this apparent
increase in tubercular cases, Miss Bell
explained, is that great many per-
sons have asked for the examinations
given by the tuberculosis Health Clinic.
following the educational work OF the
April campaign.
Entire Families Infected.
Frequently entire families are discov-
cred to be infected. Miss Bell said, in
capacitat ting the breadWinners for WORK
or necesSitating the mothers of small
children being sent away for treat
ment Such instances usually result In
appeals for aid.
I'm cases of this sort" said Miss Bell,
the Associated Charities renders RELIEF
where it can by providing some one to
care for the small children in the alb
sence of the mother or in advancing
financial relief when the wage Garner
of the family is temporarily incapaci-
tated.
A distressing feature Of the tuber-
cular cases is that without the CO.
operation of the patient 1t is wholly
impossible to prevent the infection Of
others. There is no law In the Dis
trict Of Columbia which requires a
tubercular patient to be isolated from
others or to go to hospital or clinic
for treatment.
AS soon as the attention of the as
ISOLATION is called to a tubercular in
fected family, an effort is made to get
them into better housing conditions,
with plenty of sunlight and air and to
provide them with proper food, plenty
of fresh milk and vegetables. Attend
ance at clinics Is also encouraged as
much as possible by the workers look
ting after these cases.
Many Refuse TO Cooperate.
Frequently mothers or fathers can
be made to see the necessity of isolat-
ing themselves, particularly in the
early stages OF o case, but then again,
there are many times when they re-
fuse to cooperate.
Frequently, Miss Bell adds, tubercular
children are found sharing beds with
mothers or other children not yet in
fected with the disease. 1t is q difi-
cult problem to prevent the spread Of
disease In families Of this sort. It is
also an added problem to care for chill
dren who have contracted the disease,
as only . limited number Of bed
patients can be cared for by local hos
pitfalls. The recent appropriation made
by Congress providing $500, 900 for the
construction Of a hospital for tuber-
cular children will assist greatly in the
relief Of conditions, but unfortunately
It will be some time before this hospital
viii be built and the matter Of assist
ance to these little children Is an i'm
mediate problem. At present, many
cases are being cared for by the asso-
citation by placing small children In pri-
vate homes, where they receive special
attention.