Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-14
TUBERCULAR CAMP
IS CLOSED TODAY
ChiIdren's Improvement
Shows Need of Permanent
Sanitorium Here.

Sixty tubercular children, who have
lived out of doors at the Summer camp
of the washington tuberculosis Asso-
citation, on q sunny, wooded knoll near
Fourteenth and Upshur streets, were
sent back to their homes today, many
to conditions which may tend TO sap
the resistance built up during the SUM
mer months. The camps season, which
opened June /, came to close today.
The District has no hospital facilities
available for tuberculars under IA years
unless actually bedridden. While Con-
gress has authorized 100000 for the
Construction of a children's tuberculosis
Sanitorium, plans for the institution are
as yet incomplete.
Camp Reveals Need.
The Children's Health Camp. since its
establishment in 1908, has been re-
garded by welfare workers as major
factor in demonstrating the immediate
need for such Sanitorium.
This year the camp, financed by the
Washington tuberculosis Association,
has been filled to its capacity of so pa
tients, or about a seventh of the chill
dren who have been diagnosed as tu-
bercular by the Health Department.
While many patients were In need OF
longer period of treatment, enroll
ments have been curtaild to 30 days
since the opening TO accommodate as
many youngsters as possible.
In spite of the limited accommoda-
lions, the camp Is regarded as a model
in many ways. The semi-tents IN
which the children live are particularly
attractive to them. Like small brown
playhouses, topped with canvas, they
are sheltered by big trees which encom-
cylnpU clearing
Camp Is Attractive.
The open space is roomy and ample
for the play-time, reSt-time activities OF
the young patients. Under the super
vision of q staff of trained nurses they
loll on their cots in the sunlight or do
handicraft work designed to interest
sick children without taxing their
strength.
physicians visited the camp each
morning and evening from the ada
cent tuberculosis hospital. The services
of the hospitals director of occupa-
tional-therapy were also available.
With this trained personnel in charge
of the camps activities, the daylight
hours were sped until dusk brought
radio entertainment and storytelling.
Twice each week at shutdown general
marshmalloW roast was held before a
campfire.
FulI-Day Treatment Best.
Early in the history Of the camp 1t
was found the patients responded pest
To 24-hour treatment. At first the
children were sent home each night. q
practice which retarded the progress
Of the patients TO considerable degree.
The camp was established in 1908
and nine years later the tuberculosis
Association assumed full responsibility
for its maintenance. From that date
until 1921 the camp gave daytime care
during the Summer to contact ana I'M
dernourished patients.
The next year the association, through
its nutrition classes, learned OF many
tubercular children in the District VINO
stood in need Of special treatment, ano
it was decided to admit only patients
who had been diagnosed as actually
tubercular.
It was found, however, that patients
did not show hoped for progress. Co.
ing home at night, they encountered
! conditions that nullifled TO some extent
benefits Of daytime treatments.
Number Of Patients Grow.
Then a number of tents were pur-
chased and the camp equipped 10 pro-
vide sanitorium care, both Gay anO
night That year 80 children took adj
vantage OF the new disqualification ano
in subsequent years this number has
| steadily increased. 4.
Last April Congress was asked tc
Amend the original appropriation o.
$500, 900 to provide s625,000 for the tu.
berculosis sanitorium A committee na'
been appointed by the District Corn
rnissioners to make thorough study
both of the peculiar needs OF Che LBS
| trict and Of similar institutions tnroush'
| out the country.
Much has been accomplished alons
this line and welfare workers hope fol
an early start on the actual construc'
ton of the sanitoriunn.