Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1938-05-12
Progress Is Reported
In Tubercular Program In
For Montgomery County

While tuberculosis occurs in all
classes of society, it is becoming more
and more disease in families of low
income. This point was emphasized
by DR.. Victor F. Cullen, Superintend-
ent of State Sanatoria of Maryland
in an address at the recent annual
meeting of the Montgomery County
Branch of the Maryland tuberculosis
Association. While tuberculosis has
been reduced by about two-thirds dur
ing the last generation, he stated, il
is still the leading cause of deSDth in
early adult life and often takes away
the wage Garner or the mother when
most needed in the family. The re-
duction of the disease has come large
~ from isolation of the infectious
patient. Unfortunately, very little
progress has been made in recognize
ing the disease at early stages and in
creasing the patients chance of cure.
DR.. Cullen referred to two measure
ments of the effectiveness of the tu-
berculosis program. One is a compar-
ison of the number of new cases re-
ported to deaths. In Maryland this
is 1872 to l, but in communities in
which thorough search for tubercu-
losis cases has been made, 10 active
cases per death can usually be found.
In Montgomery County in 1887 good
case reporting was secured in the
suburban communities as indicated by
ratio of 4.8 to l, while ratio of
Only IL to l prevailed in the rest OF
the county. This shows a need for
concentration of effort in the rural
area.
The State Sanatoria are in a criti-
cal situation at present because of
curtailment of funds. Budgets have
been cut so that the amount per pa
tient day is only one-half that for
many other sanatoria. Additional beds
are being constructed for colored pa
tients at Henryton but most of these
will not be available for patients be-
cause no funds have been provided
for maintenance. A few years ago the
chief problem in colored tuberculosis
land in Maryland the colored tuber-
culosis death rate is four times the
Whitley was the prejudice against san
atorium care. This has largely dis
appeared. Henryton now has long
waiting list. In Montgomery County
last year one patient died after wait
ing five months for admission. An
other patient was accepted after a
wait of six months, and when her
time came could not be found by the
nurse.
The county tuberculosis program is
now emphasizing the use of the X-ray
for early diagnosis. The portable ma
chine recently purchased from seal
sale funds and from funds of the
State Health Department was exhib-
tied at the meeting.
The following officers were elected
for the coming year: Mrs. Frank F.
Zundel, president; DR.. ]. w. Bird,
vice-president; DIR. U. D. Nourse, vice
president; Miss Estelle T. Moore, vice
president; Mrs. Dexter M. Billiard,
secretary; Mr.. o. w. Roby, treasur-
er; Mrs. VIM. Dahl, Seal Sale chair
man and Mrs. Edward M. Haas,
chairman, receiving committee.
Mrs. Haas reported that last years
seal sale returns amounted to $5,-
268.73. William B. Matthews, manag-
ing director of the Maryland Tuber-
culosis Association stated that this
was the largest capita seal sale in
Maryland. Mrs. Frank F. Zundel,
president of the association, presided
at the meeting.