The Daily Alaska empire., 1945-10-23
1 CONTROL PROGRAM
 FOR TUBERCULOSIS HAS BEEN OUTLINED

cen outlined by Commissioner of
 Iealth c. Earl Albrecht, M D. and
 ent to Territorial Department of Health personnel, physicians, hos
 Jitals and other interested agencies
 n the Territory. Ire program includes instructions
 n the procedure for making appli- ,ation for disqualification and K 'ay services for the tuberculous and, information concerning the payment oy the Department of attendant costs.
 Eligibility for care under the Ter -itorial Department of Health rer mains:
 "A medically indigent person, not beneficiary of another Territorial or Federal agency, who has been diagnosed as suffering from active tuberculosis (prognosis favorable), by reputable physician or tubercu- \ lCsiS consultant."
 Procedure
 Since there has been some confu- sion arising by reason of the fact that there are several agencies with funds to provide disqualification for tuberculosis patients, the procedure to be followed will be that all Terri torial Department of Health person. ] nel making application for care for any and all tuberculosis patients, regardless of race, and agency to whom the patient is known, will do 50 through the Commissioner of Health. The application form issued by the Department is to be used for all cases whether they might be hos pitalized by tEe Department of Health, Department of Public Vel fare, or the Alaska Native Service. The Commissioner of Health will route applications to the appropriate agency.
 HospitalizatiOn, Treatment
 Hospitalization for tuberculosis patients is to include subsistence, nursing care, usual amedications and supplies, laboratory procedures, and X-rays, but not professional fees. Physicians fees will be payable at base rate disqualification to initiate collapse therapy, and transfusions when necessary, will be paid by the Department at set rate. When pen icillin therapy is indicated, the De- partment will furnish the penicillin. Pneumcthorax therapy is to be en- couraged, and when the patient is indigent, the Health Department will pay the physician treating the case.
 X-Ray Services
 The Territorial Department of Health will make it possible for med ically indigent persons. who are con- tacts of tuberculosis cases, or who are tuberculosis suspects, to have chest x-rays taken without cost to the patient by:
 &~
 l. The establishment of X-ray clinics utilizing Territorial Depart ment of Health equipment, or
 3. The utilization of private hos pital or private physicians X-ray equipment for which service the Ter ritorial Department of Health will pay at a set rate and furnish the film.
 Due to the present shortage of film and very limited supply avail able to the Territorial Department of Health, and in keeping with the request of the United States Public Health Service, tuberculosis surveys will not be conducted at this time It is the sincere desire of the Com missioner of Health that selected survey methods be resumed as soon. as possible, and further announce ments will be made immediately when conditions make such surveys possible and advisable.
 Distribution Of X-Rays The Xray film made available to the Territorial Department of Health , up to June, 1945, has been allocated to the Communities on as equitable f basis as possible Allocation is bas- . ed on population and known com munity needs. Each community will be advised as to it's allotment It is requested that these films be used: l. For the necessary follow-up of known cases to determine the status , of disease
 2 For the examination of tubercu- losis suspects.
 3. For the examination of contacts of active cases of tuberculosis. 4. Teen-age groups, especially !. those in high school with positive tuberculin tests previously mega tive) who have never been X-rayed | 5. Food-handlers, if tuberculosis suspects or contacts. It is hoped that routine X-ray of all food handlers will soon be possible The areas served by the Central Office in Juneau will receive their , X-ray allotments from the Central , Office and the areas served by the Branch Office in Anchorage will receive their allotments from the , Branch Office. All requests for K rays should be made through the , Public Health Nurse in that area, or , if no Territorial nurse is stationed , in that area, requests may be made , either to the Branch Office or the