Imperial Valley press., 1936-12-06

EDITOR, The Post-Press:
Your splendid editorial, The Matter Of Dol
lars and Cents" in the December 2, 1886, issue
of the Imperial Valley Press. deserves COM
mendation by all public health officials and
all volunteer health agencies While CONSIDER
able progress has been made In combating
tuberculosis in Imperial County since 1896, neV-
ertheess there is still much to be done and
persistent we'll roundabout program must con-
tinue in order to further prevent and control
this disease In 1880 our tuberculosis death rate
was 1898. In 1884 it had dropped to 74.3 de-
crease of 95 deaths per 100000 population IN
this period of time. This decrease in the death
rate was approximately twice that Of other
communities. 1t is difficult to evaluate the
cause for this remarkable reduction. There is
no doubt that there has been an awakened
interest in public health work throughout the
country and, that locally considerable progress
has been made in sanitation and envlronmental
conditions. The tuberculosis cleanup of our
dairy COWS will undoubtedly, be further factor
in reducing the incidence of tuberculosis in
our community.
As you have pointed out, tuberculosis is
still the chief cause of death in persons be-
tween the ages of Is and As: With limited
funds at our disposal, it was decided last year
by the directors of the Imperial County Tuber-
culosis and Health Association to offer the tu-
beculin test to the senior class OF our Valley
high schools and to X-ray all cases who reacted
positively to the test. physical examination
would be included. This work would have to be
done with the written permission of the parents
or guardian. While final plans have not been
made it is hoped that this procedure can be
followed. Early diagnosis is an important factor
and with the application Of our modern means
of treatment it is felt that any cases discovered
by such tuberculin survey can be arrested or
guided along the right direction to eventual
recovery
1t is most important that every case OF tu-
berculosis be reported TO the health authorities.
In our own offices We have endeavored to
maintain a registry of all cases of tuberculosis,
active, arrested or deceased and names of
contacts Ideally, all contacts should be skin
tested and examined and positive reactors x
Tayed. Through the cooperation OF the I'm
perial County tuberculosis and Health Associa-
tion we have endeayored to follow this pro-
gram Numerous tests and examinations have
been made. Local physicians have cooperated
in making X-rays. vas
Much of the anti-tuberculosis program de-
pends on health instruction. both in personal
and household hygiene. In some communities
considerable success has been obtained through
treatment by pneumothorax Of ambulatory cases.
II is hoped that a similar program can be
conducted here
generous response by community In
purchasing Christmas Seals will aid the local
tuberculosis Association in their program of
yearly diagnostic clinics and cooperating with
the county health department in their endeay
ors TO control preyentable ard durable disease
Again thanking you for your support of
measures instituted TO combat the great white
plague, l sincerely.
s.1 WARREN F. FOX, M. D..
County Health Officer