Evening star., 1940-03-17
Citizens Indorse
\ :
Pre.Marifal
Medical Tests
Federation to Ask
Congress Action to
Force Examinations

Compulsory physical examinations
to prevent persons with commu-
nicable disease from marrying In
the District was recommended last
night by the Federation Of Citizens
Associations after 1t was empha-
sized that 81 States already have
such . law.
d Congress win be asked to draft
and adopt the necessary legislation
making health certificates prere-
quisite to the issuance Of marriage
licenses.
Although the federation adopted
q resolution with only one dissenting
voice, the subject provoked con-
siderable discussion. Delegates from
the medical field, however, offered
convincing arguments that swept
aside opposition.
Reporting for the Health Com
mittee, DR.. c.. B. Campbell said
there was no doubt that requiring
altar-bound couples to submit to
examination and laboratory tests
would prove beneficial.
Accuracy Is Cited.
A challenge as to the accuracy of
tests for syphilis was answered by
DR.. Campbell's statement that these
tests now have reached the stage
where they can be depended upon.
Calling attention to the increase
in the number Of divorces In the
Nation. DR.. Campbell said many of
these estxangements could be traced
to. the lack Of compulsory physical
examinations prior to marriage.
Answering another layman who
questioned whether such tests would
not become public property" DR..
l.. F. Kebler, Of the Citisens' Forum,
said the examinations would re-
ceive mo more publicity" than
those made for tuberculosis.
DR.. Monte Sanger of st. Elizabeth's
Hospital also supported the resolu-
ton, pointing out that 10 per cent
OF the insanity cases at his insti-
tuition probably resulted from syph-
Ills, which, in turn, was hereditary
IN many instances.
At the same time the federation
voiced its approval of Senator Kings
pending bill to regulate the practice
OF dentistry in Washington. The
measure. among other things, would
require inspection of dental offices
and equipment and investigation Of
false and misleading advertising.
Speaking In favor of the bill. DR..
George r. Ellis urged that the dental
laws be amended to keep abreast
OF changing times" The present law
covering dentistry, he pointed out,
does not erquire practicting dentists
to be American citizens. DR.. Ellis
also said claims of painless dem
tistry" had q Catch" and that 1t
was false Advertising Of q type that
should be banned.
Further Milk Bill Study.
The federation was on the point
Of voting on another recommends
ton Of the Health Committee when
1t was decided to make q further
study Of the subject. This was q
resolution opposing the Schultz bill
that would allow milk to be shipped
here without inspection by the Dis
trict Health Department.
Most Of the meeting was spent in
lively debate on q proposed consti-
tutfonal amendment which would
make 1t necessary for new associa-
tions seeking membership in the fed
Grafton first to reach boundary un-
derstandings with adjoining and
overlapping groups. The amend
ment was killed.
Immediately afterward, by q vote
OF So to IA, the Arkansas Avenue
Community Citizens Association
was admitted to membership.
James A. Crooks, chairman Of the
committee which arranged for the
federation's 30th annual banquet
last week, was commended for max
ing the affair q success.