Evening star., 1934-04-04

of Columbia in the eradication OF
tuberculosis in the Nations Capital is
urged in the society's report on its
investigation OF the prevalence Of the
white plague here-a report which
severely condemns the Health De-
partment's inactivity in combating
the dread disease.
The report was compiled by the
society's subcommittee on tubercu-
losis. 1t finds that methods for the
discovery, control and treatment of
tuberculosis are woefully inadequate"
but adds that I'VE, the members of
the Medical Society of the District of
Columbia. have not, however, inter-
eSted ourselves in the problem; we
are to be censured collectively and
individually"
Only Effective Agent.
The report finds also:
That the Medical Society Of the
District Of Columbia is the only body
capable of effectively co-ordinating
the various agencies dealing with
tuberculosis in the District Of Colum-
bia, and must take an aroused and
active interest in this pressing prob
lem looking to official and effective
action for the future
The society's recommendations for
alleviating conditions follow:
tv, or@n RI a
activities, the Subcommittee on Tu-
berculoSis Of the Committee on Public
Health of the Medical Society Of the
District of Columbia. be empowered
to represent the society before, and
to confer with, all organizations and
individuals concerned with the prob
lens of tuberculosis.
2. That the said Subcommittee on
tuberculosis be empowered to confer
with the Board of Public Welfare in
order to urge efficient stating of
sanatoria by recommending suitably
trained and experienced physicians
applying for staff positions.
New Sanatorium Urged.
3. That the society make every ef-
fort to further officially and through
its individual members the establish
ment Of new adult sanatorium for
tuberculosis at the site of the new
Children's Sanatorium on the De-
tense Highway so that our adults with
tuberculosis may have a chance for
restoration Of health which they now
lack.
4. That as soon as practicable the
present hospital be abandoned as in
adequate and not suited for its pres
ent purpose.
(a) That the hospital for late stage
cases be constructed at Gallinger
Municipal Hospital as distinct from
the sanatorium for hopeful cases on
the Defense Highway.
5. That the professional work of
the sanatoria and said clinics be
supervised by an advisory board ap-
pointed from the membership Of the
Medical Society of the District Of
Columbia in cooperation with the
Beard Of Public Welfare: the mem
bers Of the Subcommitte on Tuber-
culosis to be members OF this gov
erning board.
6. That there be appointed for the
sanatoria a list of consultants for
the necessary specialties said con-
sultants to be appointed from the
membership of the Medical Society Of
the District OF Columbia by the
Medical Society Of the District of
Columbia and the Board Of Public
Welfare, these consultants to receive
adequate remuneration in accordance
with the policy Of the National Gov
ernment, as for example. at Mount
Alto Hospital.
Favor time Officer.
z. That all work concerning tuber-
culosis in the city proper be placed
in charge Of full-time offlcer of the
Health Department.
8. That at the earliest possible mo-
ment there be a complete re-organi-
zation of the present Health Depart
ment Clinic for tuberculosis.
9. That a campaign be instituted
among the members Of the Medical
Society of the District of Columbia,
urging them to report to the Health
Department all instances Of tuber-
culosis.
10. That this committee study the
existing laws regarding tuberculosis
and recommend such changes as will
enhance efforts to control the disease.
The report follows in part:
Until two years ago the Medical
Society of the District Of Columbia,
at least for a long period, had no
official committee on tuberculosis, and
the contact between the society and
the tuberculosis problem here, except
through individual members. has been
almost negligible. Last Spring the
Executive Committee Of the society
appointed a tuberculosis Committee
to act as a subcommittee Of the Com
mittee on Public Health. -
Death Rate.
The following table shows the four
highest death rates per 100000 from
tuberculosis In 1882. taken from a
list of 46 large American cities. It
includes also the death rates in New
York City and Chicago. as well as
two low rates in other cities.
Death Rate Per 10000 in 1882.
San Antonio ................... f55
Memphis .................. 141
New Orleans .................. 122
washington l2O
New York City ................. 10
Chlcago .................. o3
Minneapolis ................... Al
Akron .................. 80
Syracuse .................. 81
1t will be observed that Washington
has the fourth highest death rate of
these cities. Washington Is less con-
gested and the general economic sit