Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-05
CHILDREN EXPOSED
TO TUBERCULOSIS
NEED SANATOR|UM
Cases Reveal Need to Rush
Project, Association Says
in Report.
1876 FAMILIES VISITED,
81 CHILDREN FOUND ILL
Work Should Be Launched Soon
Despite Split on Design,
Survey Declares.

Action would be speeded on the sana-
torium for, children if home conditions
of tuberculous families were generally
known, it was declared yesterday in a
report of the Washington tuberculosis
Association.
The statement declared the work
should be launched soon, irrespective
of differences of opinion as to the type
of building most desirable, especially
when the funds are now available Tor
actual construction"
Since January /, 1881" the report
said, the four nurses of this associa-
ton engaged in field work have had I'M
der their supervision 335 tuberculouS
families, representing 868 contact cases
and 81 children already diagnosed as
tuberculous. These homes have as many
as five and six children living in daily
contact with an advanced, open case Of
pulmonary tuberculosis, that OF the
mother, father, an aged grandparent or
other relative. That is why all OF these
numerous contact cases are in constant
danger of becoming active. as has re-
suited in the 81 children noted.
Children Take Disease.
"a day spent with one of these health
workers of the tuberculosis Association
revealed family of 10 living in a very
small and unsanitary home. Six tuber-
culous children needed care the mother
working out and the Oldest boy having
part-time employment when not himself
too i'll. -Four of the children go to the
health school five hours of each day,
but at home have no adequate super
vision for lack of funds.
In another home visited by the nurse
there were in the beginning Is men,
bers of the family. The mother, con-
fined TO her bed after returning from
the tuberculosis Hospital, had recently
died. Conditions were such that it was
impossible to keep the children, from 2
to 20 years OF age. out Of the mothers
sick room or away from contact with
the oldest daughter, who also was 'suf-
fering with tuberculosis.
Three in Family Die.
1.-THE whole family had been exam
ined and X-rayed at the tuberculosis
clinic. Two of the smaller children
were found to have the disease and the
health of two others remained in doubt
pending further tests. The crowded
condition of the Health School pre-
vented the oldest boy from being en-
rolled therein. Within three months
the mother and two children had died
in that home from tuberculosis. The
father is now at work and with the
help of the tuberculous daughter is
keeping the rest of the family together,
but the children still have no proper
home care"
Twelve years ago" the report con-
tinued DIR. w. D. ,Tewksbury pre-
sentsd a report to the directors of the
Washington tuberculosis Association
showing the urgent need OF providing
Sanatorium care for tuberculouS chill
Vfn nfh
reports made by representative health
and social workers urged the same ac-
ton. For the past three years the
tuberculosis Sanatorium Committee has
given special attention to the problems
involved in the recently enacted legis-
lation appropriating S625, 900 for the
construction of this Sanatorium.
Doctors Favor Plan.
"Dr. William H. Hough, president OF
the Medical Society of the District, who
is actively cooperating with the asso-
cations early-diagnosis campaign now
in progress, expressed his opinion Of the
Sanatorium problem as follows:
There really should be no great
difficulty in getting forward with the
Children's tuberculosis Sanitorium.
The decision as to the type of building
can be determined by competent au-
thority and minor Emergencies of views
can be ironed out with the will to make
progress on this greatly needed insti-
tuition
DIR. Frank Jones. president of the
Medico-C hirurgical Society, made this
statement: I am sure that voice the
sentiments of my professional associates
in asking that the construction of the
Children's tuberculosis Sanitorium be
given every possible preference by those
in charge of the undertaking now pro-
vided for by Congress and which the
existing serious lack of school or insti-
tutiohal care for many children In our
CITY makes so irnDerative