Evening star., 1932-03-27
INCREASE
FOR CLINIC PRAISED
Social Diseases Creating
Grave Problem Here,
Leaders Say.

The decision Of the subcommittee
drafting the District appropriation bill
tn Include increased appropriation to
provide more adequate quarters for the
social hvgiene clinic of the Health De-
nartment is gratifying to the Legisla-
tive Committee of the Social Hygiene
Society. composed Of Mrs. r. Thomas
west. chairman: W. Frank Persons,
Mrs. Otto L. Veerhoft and Herbert s.
Wood.
In a statement issued last night this
Legislative Committee emphasizes the
value to the entire community OF thls
clinic and says that the members OF
the Subcommittee on District Appro-
priations "are to be congratulated on
the interest they are showing in Dis
trict affairs. as evidenced by the con-
cern they have taken over the serious
need of more adequate quarters and
personnel for the clinic.
Continuing, the statement says that
''the trouble that members OF this COM
mittee have taken during q busy ses-
sion of Congress to visit this clinic
shows further their interest.
Relief SoreIy Needed.
THE Social Hygiene Society has been
concerned for months over the con-
gested state of the social hygiene clinic
and the need for more and better paid
personnel. The Health Department is
fully aware of this situation and Is
deSirous that 1t be corrected.
The special committee appointed by
the Commissioners, of which DR.. Will
liam c. Fowler was chairman, to study
the child welfare needs of the District
in their report made recently to the
Commissioners stated: Social diseases
are constant menace to child healtn,
and every reasonable effort should be
made to control them. The facilities
at the dispensary, now operated by the
Health Department, for the examina-
tion and treatment of persons suffer-
ing from venereal diseases are made
quate. The establishment of addition
al dispensaries In different sections Of
the city would improve and increase
the service
The Health Department has only
one free social hygiene clinic where
continuous free treatments can be
given to those who cannot afford to
pay for them. Consequently, there is
very large attendance from all sec
tions of the District of Columbia. The
annual expenditure for this clinic is
only approximately $4,000.
Work Is Hampered.
Physicians and other members of
the staff give excellent service, but
clinics can be held only part of five
days week, as the free tuberculosis
and vaccination work of the Health
Department is done in the same build
ing, with the result that the following
deplorable conditions exist
Lack of space and overcrowded rooms
giving no privacy either for consulta-
ton or treatment.
No separate clinics for children
In January, 1882, the clinic reports
treatment of 3,164 patients, an in
crease of 818 over 1881. In February,
1882. there were 1925 patients, an in
crease of 823. or more than Is per
cent over 1881, which is evidence of
the need for immediate relief, and in
dicates that many more persons are
finding 1t necessary to seek free treat
ment this year.
THE unemployment situation has
increased tremendously the need for
more clinical facilities
After careful study Of the needs
the Social Hygiene Society is of the
opinion that an additional $20,960 is
necessary for the social hygiene clinic
alone"