Evening star., 1945-05-01
Bed Needs Hamper
tuberculosis Fight,
Dr.. Ruh|and Admits

mere curing Cne past 10 years, DR..
George c. Rutland, District Health
Officer, last night admitted, however,
there was serious shortage of beds
to care for new cases being found
with increased vigilance in the cam
paign against the disease.
Last year, DR.. Rutland told the
annual meeting of the District Tu-
berculosis Association, there were
596 deaths-66.2 per 100000 popula-
ton, the best rate in the city's his
tory.
The tuberculosis problem here is
due largely to the colored popula-
tion," he said, mot so much because
of biological predisposition of the
race, but because of sicio-economic
and housing conditions.
Contrasts Death Rate.
In 1914, he said, So per cent of
tuberculosis deaths here occurred
among the colored, who make up
20 per cent of the total population.
Last year the colored tuberculosis
death rate was 148 per 100, 1000 pop
ulation, which is immeasurably bet
ter than the rate of 259 in 1885.
Among the white population the
local death rate was 1873 per 100000
Of the population, which he said
was better than most large cities.
In response to questions from the
floor presented to a panel of six
speakers, DR.. Rutland said there
were not enough beds to care for
the 2,100 new cases discovered last
year. He urged retention of Upshur
Street Hospital for hardening con-
valescent cases and said the Com
missioners were committed to a
program for construction of a build
ing, probably at Glenn Dale Sana-
torium, for housing chronic cases.
Paul D. Sleeper, retiring president
of the tuberculosis Association, said
it was tragic the problem of bed
shortage had become worse during
the year through closing OF a build
ing at Gallinger and shortage of
help. Pointing out that only 964
beds are available, whereas by
standards of the American Public
Health Association the city should
have 1,500, he said people who need
treatment are needing hospitaliza-
ton and "in all probability = B" are
spreading infection in the COM
munity." He said it was encourage
ing that business firms were realiz-
ing the Importance of chest X-ray
examination.
Reports for Committee.
In report of the associations
Evaluation Committee, DR.. Howard
M. Payne of Freedman's Hospital
contended that "a racial weakness
peculiar to those of Negro blood has
never been demonstrated conclu-
sively," but added that the death
rates indicate that five to six times
as many Negroes as whites, per 100,-
900 of the population, die of tuber-
culosis each year." He advocated
a city-wide program among all
people of case-finding, adequate
medical care and isolation, rehabih-
tation, protection of the family
against economic distress and a pro-
gram of research.
DR.. Clayton B. Eldridge declared
the primary responsibility for pro-
tecting the public against the dire
effects of this illness rests with
the local health department. He
pledged further efforts of the asso-
citation, of which he is director,
towards solving the problem.
Wilbur Finch, president of the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
said the taxpaying citizenry was
willing to pay for aid to genuine
sufferers and the INDECENT, but in
sisted that they be residents of the
District. He said, however, that
half as much was spent on tubercu-
losis as for all the rest of the Health
Department budget, declaring that
was a large proportion"
Directors Named.
Other speakers included Col. Roy
A. Wolford Of the Veterans Bureau,
DR.. Herman Hilleboe of the Public
Health Service, who presided, and
Edward K. Funkhouser, executive
secretary of the association.
A slate OF directors, presented by
D. G. Dow was elected as follows
For one year: Alfred H. Lawson,
Msgr. L. j. Shehan, Miss Sylvia
Wanger: for two years: John J.
Corson; for three years: Robert H
Davidson, DR.. Ethridge, Mrs. Nor
man Gerstenfeld, DR.. K. Albert
Harden, Miss Clara Herbert, DR.
Howard Long, Mrs. c. D. Lowe, DR.
Carroll r. Reed, Rev. James o. West
and DR.. Irving w. Wink. There
were no nominations from the floor
Part Of the program was broadcast
by Station VOL.
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