Evening star., 1934-04-04
MEDICAL SOCIETY
OPPOSES FOWLER
Makes Formal Plea for His
Replacement by Public
Health Physician.

(Continued From First Page.)
struction of a 250-bed sanitorium for
adults adjoining the Children's Tu-
berculosis Sanitorium on the Defense
Highway, IA miles from the city.
The committee which called on the
Commissioners was composed OF Or.
Wilson, DR.. John Minor, DR.. F. A;
McLendon, DR.. w. D. Tewksbury ana
DR.. Charles r. L. HALEY. Its state
ment said:
Although only 1888 cases OF tuber-
culosis were reported in the District
of Columbia in 1888, it is estimated
from reliable data (see page OF
report that there were from $500
to $500 cases of active tuberculosis
in the District, excluding the So
called Juvenile" type of tuberculosis
which is not reportable in the Dis
trict Of Columbia This marked dis
crepancy in figures is accounted for
by several factors, perhaps the most
important of which is the lack of any
adequate follow-up OF contacts by the
Health Department.
There were GIT reported deaths
from tuberculosis in 1888. There are
300 beds for adult tuberculosis in the
District, 22O at the tuberculosis Hos
pital and 80 at Gallinger. 1t Is evi-
dent, therefore, that with the min
imum requirement of one bed per
death for tuberculosis, as established
by extensive studies over many years
by the National tuberculosis Asso-
citation, we have less than half the
minimum number of beds required.
The beds we now have are 95 to 100
per cent occupied, and an average OF
rs are hopeless terminal cases.
Hopeful Cases Handicapped.
"From the study made by the Sub
committee on tuberculosis of the
Committee ON Public Health of the
Medical Society of the District Of
Columbia, and from the studies made
previously by other organizations, it
is clear that there is no institution in
or belonging to the District of Co.
luinbia where hopeful cases have a
reasonable chance for recovery which
they deserve.
at is also clear that considerable
proportion of even advanced cases
are unwilling to enter the tuberculosis
Hospital because of conditions there.
The Medical Society feels therefore
that It is urgent that an up-to-date
sanitarium for adult tuberculous be
established for the District and has
officially recommended that this san
itarium, which should be for hopeful
cases, be located at the site Of the
newly built Children's Sanitorium on
the Defense Highway.
"The subcommittee has studied the
situation and feels that this location
is a suitable one, and it has the ad-
dltfonal advantage of already belong
ing to the District. We would recon-
mend that at least a 250-bed unit be
constructed there.
I'VE feel that it is most important
that the hospital be conducted on
the highest professional plane, which
means especially that it be stated
by men OF known experience and
training IN tuberculosis work and that,
If possible, with the end of high grade
professional work in view, the Medi-
cal Society, through suitable commit
tees, be allowed to act in an advisory
capacity In the choosing of this staff,
and that an advisory board from the
society supervise the professional
work. This is one of the great lacks
In the present tuberculosis organiza-
ton OF the District, and We feel that
the professional and scientific plane
OF THIS work can be much improved
by such cooperation"
Cumming Raps Methods.
Caustic criticism of the preventive
and eombative methods in the Dis
trict was forthcoming last night from
Surgeon Gen. Hugh S. Cumming. He
said:
Here in the District Of Columbia
(where incidentally 1 wish to say, the
United States Public Health Service
has no control of, or responsibility for
health conditions) young children are
allowed to live in the same homes
with adults having advanced tubercu-
losis.
Infection of children is not pre-
vented. There are two principal rea-
sons for this: First, the municipal
sanitarium for adults is only half
large enough and many patients with
open tuberculosis continue to live on
in their homes while waiting their
turn for admission.
Second, there is a lack of health
supervision that might prevent intec-
ton Of young children in these
homes which they share with in
fected adults. This is one of the
reasons why tuberculosis mortality in
Washington is higher than that Of
New York, Chicago, Baltimore, Phila-
delphia, Boston, Pittsburgh, Birm-
ingham or Seattle. Its death rate
from tuberculosis is fifth highest
among our large cities although it
has a smaller percentage of colored
people and more favorable economic
conditions than many cities with
lower tuberculosis rates.
early diagnosis has not been fos-
tered and early cases have not been
given sanatorium care, nor have
patients with advanced disease been
well segregated. Most important of
all there has been no sanatorium for
children and an infested child was
doomed to repeated infections in an
infected home. If such conditions
can exist in the Nations Capital
it is probable that they are duplicated
elsewhere. Look about you and see
whether children in your city are
adequately protected from infection
Whether diagnosis is made early and
prompt treatment instituted"