Evening star., 1946-04-21
Asks
Better Care for
Tubercu|ous
Reopening of GoIIinger
Urged as l80 Cases
Await disqualification

Adequate facilities for the care
and treatment of District tuber-
culosis cases and reopening of the
Gallinger Hospital tuberculosis ward
were recommended last night by
the Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations after DR.. A. Barklie Coulter,
director of the tuberculosis Bureau,
told the group 180 cases were await
ing disqualification now with no
place to CO.
The Federation unanimously
adopted a resolution calling for
immediate steps" to provide care
and treatment for local tubercu-
lous cases 80 they will not have
to remain in their homes, nom
tuberculous institutions and the like
while waiting for months to be
admitted" to proper hospitals.
In an appeal for the groups back
ing in his efforts to cut down the
high mortality rate and expense of
tuberculosis care and treatment by
early X-ray diagnosis, DR.. Coulter
pointed out that a tuberculosis case
caught in its early stages costs the
District an average of $500, while
case not diagnosed until far ad-
vanced costs as much as $4,000.
300 Beds Closed in District.
He said there were 1,100 tuber-
culosis beds in District hospitals,
of which 300 now are closed, adding
that the city needed from 1900 to
l 300 beds to provide thorough care
and treatment.
On the basis of a District popu-
lation estimated at 100000, DR..
Coulter said statistics showed the
city would have 10000 persons with
tuberculosis, with 5000 of that num-
Der in need of disqualification. He
also said that less than per cent
OF all tuberculouS people are able
to pay for their own treatment.
ut is a sad commentary on the
District Government and an outrage
when citizens like ourselves have to
| investigate things like hospital serv-
ice when we are paying District
officials for this" Delegate Joseph
H. Deckman remarked.
Urges Raise in Ambulance Fee.
The federation advocated raising
the Health Department fee of SIPS
for hospital ambulance calls to So
and that doctors or interns ride on
Galllnger Hospital and Police and
Fire Department ambulances on
emergency calls as means of improv-
ing emergency service.
Also recommended in this connec-
ton was provision of more space in
the Municipal Center garage, ade-
quate quarters there for ambulance
personnel, adequate parking facili-
ties for the Gallinger emergency am
bulance and two full time emergency
ambulances for Freedmen's Hospital.
Clifford H. Newell, chairman of
the Membership and Credentials
Committee, urged delegates to in
stlgate formation of youth problem
committees in the member associa
tlons to survey neighborhood needs
and report to the Federation so that
we can move forward on this press
ing problem" With the whole city
alive to the problems of juvenile de-
linquency, he said, it is up to the
Federation to carry the ball"
/ A recommendation for investiga-
ton of District Health Department
conditions was postponed on the ad-
vice of the public health committee
! pending the findings of the Wash
ilngton Metropolitan Health Council
!, which is conducting such a survey.
:. The group voted thanks to retir-
ing Delegate Marvin M. Mclean oi
the Brookland association for many
years of service to the Federation