Evening star., 1946-05-02
Criticism Of Health
Facilities Answered
By County Boards

~ NVuIHy DVuluS
Officials in Prince Georges, Ar
lington and Fairfax Counties today
defended their health facilities in
response to criticism voiced in the
Washington Metropolitan Health
Council report. Montgomery Coun-
ty, officials were pleased with the
favorable comments they received
William A. Carson, president of
the Prince Georges County Board
OF Commissioners, said there is "ab-
solutely no cause for alarm in the
county"
Asserting that health conditions
are above normal" Mr.. Carson
said "The only time we might be
handicapped would be if an cpl
demic broke out"
He said the commissioners already
have approved the appointment of
an assistant health officer, who is
on the job, and authorized the ad-
dition of two nurses to the II now
employed by the health depart
ment, although difficulty has been
experienced in filling the positions.
Points to State Control.
In Fairfax County, r. M. Lough-
borough, county executive, said the
health department is controlled en-
tirely by the State and the county
has consistently appropriated all
funds requested by the State for
local health purposes.
Mr.. Loughborough said the
county's annual share for health
maintenance is $9,750 and that an
additional $4,000 has been budgeted
for the 1867 fiscal year, contingent
on the expansion of the State health
program to include school health ac-
tivities. He did not know how much
the State contributes.
In answer to criticism in the sur
vey report concerning inadequate
health department personnel, Mr.
Loughborough said the problem is
largely one of inability to get per-
sonnet
Mark Turner, Forestville, a men,
Der OF the State Milk Commission
said enactment of a standard milk
ordinance in Fairfax County is un-
necessary because State laws, which
he described as very rigid" apply in
all Virginia counties.
Says Rules Are Strict.
Declaring the Virginia milk in
spection laws are among the most
strict in the. country, Mr.. Turner
said inspections of all milk retailers
and producers are made every 60
days by officials of the State
Health Department Milk and Mar
keting Division.
DR.. Ralph G. Beachley, Arlington
County health officer, said that un-
der the current health budget
nurses salaries range from $3.50
to S2,4O0 a year. He added that
for the time being I think our
nursing staff will meet county re-
quirements.
He said the 1867 county budget
provides for 5000 blanket increase
Tor all regular salaried employees,
including county public health
nurses and nurse supervisors.
He also asserted that space Is
available in the county health CEN
ter at 1900 North Edison street to
accommodate the school health
service and that he would be glad
to have that service located there
The report was made by DR.. C. E.
A. Winslow. New Haven, Conn. pro-
fessor emeritus of the public health
department, Yale University: DR.
Ira V. Hiscock. also of New Haven
chairman of the public health de-
partment at Yale, and DR.. Claude
w. Munger, administrator of St
Luke's Hospital, New York.
Montgomery Singled Out,
In singing out Montgomery Coun-
ty for commendation, the report
pointed out that, although the coun-
ty has very modest" health
budget of S1.19 per capita-about
the same as that spent in Alexan-
dria and Arlington-the high eco
nomlc status of its population elm
mates some problems.
Investigation of the county health
program, according to the report
indicates that the area is Unusually
fortunate" in its official health lead
ership.
Turning to Alexandria and Ar
hngton County, both of whom are
said to have fine, new health Gen.
ters," the report makes several rec
concentrations for improvement OF
the local health machinery.
Most important of the recon-
mendations concerning Alexandria
according to the report, is expan-
sion of the maternal, child health
and school health programs.
In Arlington County, co-ordina-
ton of health department and
school department is described as
particularly important" It is rec
commended that the health work OF
the board of education be located
IN the Health Department Building
Far Less Satisfactory"
Turning to Prince Georges and
Fairfax Counties. the report de.
scribes health conditions there as
Tar less satisfactory" adding that
the health departments in the two
counties operate on budgets of 50
and 43 cents per capita, respectively
"A county operating on such a
budget as this the report charged
would deserve serious concern ever
when located in the heart of the
Appalachian Mountains. When the
condition exists in the heart of one
OF the great metropolitan areas o1
the United States, the situation Is
extremely serious"
While those making the survey
expressed surprise that so much
has been accomplished in Prince
Georges County with its meager
financial resources" they empha-
sized that there are limits beyond
which miracles cannot be expected. .
Conditions in Fairfax County, ac-
cording to the report, "are even
worse" with no health officer, since
the man formerly holding the office
has resigned; three nurses, one
sanitary officer and two clerks. The
report emphasized that this staff