Evening star., 1937-12-19

On the face of it, therefore, it would
appear that the local program calls for the
provision of additional hospital beds. This
may be necessary.
Utilizing to Best ADVANTAGE.
In the meantime, another question
arises, and that is: Is the available number
OF beds utilized to the best advantage?
This brings us specifically to the oues-
ton OF the utilization of beds available in
the so-called children's sanatorium.
In discussing this point should like to
call attention to the fact, now well recog-
nized by those who presume to know most
about tuberculosis, that tuberculosis among
chldren, fortunately, ordinarily goes on to
spontaneous cure. The infection among
cnlloren naturally varies according to the
intensity and duration of exposure to
known sources Of infection. Young chill
dren exposed to massive and continued in
lection, may die very promptly from tuber-
cular meningitis or tubercular pneumonia.
The acute disease runs its course in q
relatively short time, 50 that hospital care,
unfortunately, can be of no use whatsoever.
Beyond these fortunately relatively few
cases. We must consider the cohorts of
children Of pre-school age who are in close
relationship with their adults. Here, az
stated, proximity with known adult case
can cause the infection. Infection is ap-
proximately nine times more FREQUENT
where such contact can be shown than
where there is no history of contact with
known cases.
Some 20 years ago, when the skin
test was applied to large groups Of children.
1t was shown that surprising number of
children, particularly in cities, showed a
positive reaction. That is the proof of
the fact that the child has been infected,
This fact mobilized number of well.
meaning persons to establish preventoria
and sanatoria for children Most States
had such institutions. During the years
intervening, 1t was discovered, however.
that Notwithstanding this infection. most
children will overcome this primary irfec-
ton quite successfully. provided only that
the source Of the infection (the open adult
case) is removed
II at that time vital statistics on tuber-
culosis mortality had been studied. those
who were shocked by the discovery of the
relatively widespread infection in children
might have saved themselves q lot of need
less worry. In brief, present-day knowl-
edge happily is to the effect that we need
not worry much about the primary infec-
ton in childhood, provided only we remove
the source Cthe open adult easel from the
home where there are children.
Work for Summer Camps.
The open-air school and the summer
camp can do as much as the sanatorium
can do In building up q child who is
undernourished. That. however, Is a serv-
ice that fortunately can be rendered at
relatively little expense At the sanatortum
the maintenance Of q bed costs the COM
munlty approximately q thousand dollars
year. 1t ought to be clear that our public
health program, II 1t hopes to make prog
ress, should utilize the available beds for
the control Of the adult case which is the
source OF infection. rather than monopolize
these beds by Riddles" who surely do not
need more than feeding or even no more
than the withdrawal, as stated, from the
adult case
1t should, Of course, be understood that
the adult type pulmonary Of tuberculosis
may occur In children. That type Of In
lection in children Is quite as risky to
other children - 1t Is In fact to adults
There Is no point, therefore, IN merely
bringing children. because they ars chill
drans toeethaF n ana insahton. III