Evening star., 1932-04-04
TUBERCULOSIS WAR
MAPPED At PARLEY
Plans for "EarIy Diagnosis
Drive Laid-Dr. Emerson
Addresses Meetings.

Preventive and curative measures in
Washingtons 1882 campaign against
tuberculosis were discussed by health
experts at two meetings yesterday and
another today.
The location of unsuspected carriers
Of the disease is Of primary Importance
to modern community fights on tubercu-
losis, according to DR.. Kendall Emerson
of New York City, managing director of
the National tuberculosis Association.
DR.. Emerson addressed a public meet
ing called by the Medical Society yes
terday at its headquarters, 1718 NJ
street, and was principal speaker today
at luncheon meeting under auspices
Of the local Association for the Pre-
vention of tuberculosis, at the Central
Y. W. G. A.
Diagnosis Drive Planned.
Plans were laid at the latter session
for the organization of the annual
early diagnosis" drive here. Mrs. Ernest
r. Grant, president of the association,
presided. Other speakers were DR.. A.
c. Christie, president of the Medical
Society, and DR.. J. G.. Cumming of the
Health Department.
In his address yesterday DR.. Emerson
said communities must organize more
systematic efforts to locate and treat
hidden and unSuspected tuberculars,
who are the carriers of the disease.
Illustrating his talk with a chart
showing the occurrence of tuberculosis
by age groups, as compared with that
of other diseases, DR.. Emerson reminded
bis audience that tuberculosis Is world
wide, infectious and without any specific
cure or immunity, due to the wide
prevalence OF the germ. He listed as
contributing causes ignorance, poverty,
unhygtenic living habits and industrial
hazards.
Points Way 10 Success.
DR.. Emerson said it was imperative
that better methods of case finding be
added to the educational program
against the disease
Our success" he continued, will
depend m large degree on the discovery
OF the hidden case spreading infection
from one member of family to an
other. Our new slogan is, Every case
comes from another and its necessary
implication Is break the contact To
this end our health forces in every COM
munity must improve their diagnostic
methods and resources.
This involves better training of
doctors In diagnostic methods. more
complete reporting of known cases by
physicians and other health workers
and by social workers.
A more general acceptance Of the
advice for periodic examination is re-
quired, especially for children in school,
with the tuberculin test and the X-ray."
DR.. Anderson Speaks.
The second meeting on the subject
yesterday was addressed by DR. Viola
Russell Anderson, executive secretary
of the local tuberculosis Association,
discussing the theme, Tuberculosis
Why it Runs in the Family"
DR.. Anderson said the reason for this
known fact Is not that tuberculosis Is
inherited, but that it Is caught by close
and repeated contact with some in
fected member Of a family. She urged
the importance of locating active tuber-
cular cases and called attention to the
fact that the first symptoms are loss of
weight, indigestion, cough that hangs
on and tendency to become too easily
tired.
These symptoms do not mean" DR..
Anderson added, that person has
tuberculosis, but any one OF them Is
warning sign, to be needed by going to
a doctor for a thorough examination If
possible, or by going to a tuberculosis
clinic"