Evening star., 1948-06-27
5000 Cases Referred
To T. Street Clinic for
Final Diagnosis

sands OF tuberculosis victims. un.
covered by the Washington Ches
X-ray Survey, will fall on Distric
health officials when the surve,
ends Wednesday.
Nearly 100000 residents will have
been examined through the in
tensive five-and-a-ha month drive
most have received clean bills OF
health. But more than 5000 have
been referred to the Health De-
partment's tuberculosis clinic at
400 c street NV. for final dag
nosis of X-rays that indicate the
presence of tuberculosis More than
90 per cent of the 5000, officials
said, have reported.
Health Department officials say
they don't know yet how many of
these actually have tuberculosis,
how many need disqualification, or
how many can be cared for in their
own homes. The answers. they say
probably won't be available until
the fall.
Committee to Meet July 8.
A clearer picture. however, is ex-
pected to be presented at a meeting
of the 83-member survey commit
tee at pm. July in the District
Building
The many cases still to be an
alyzed make the picture in
complete now, but the July meet
ing will reveal many details and
ramlfications that will be of vital
national as well as local interest, +"
according to William E. Leahy,
chairman.
Active cases needing hospitaliza
ton have been placed on waiting
lists for Glenn Dale Sanatdrium
and Gallinger and Freedmen's Hos
pitfalls. officials reported. In the
meantime, they have been referred
to private doctors or given instruc-
tlons on care in their own homes,
where Health Department nurses
will make regular visits.
No one has come up with an
answer to the disqualification di-
lemma. Health Department officials
refused to say how long waiting
lists are at the three hospitals, but
commented that the lists existed
even before the survey.
DR.. A. Barklie Coulter. chief of
the departments tuberculosis di
vision, has said he must have enough
trained nurses if the home care pro-
gram is to be successful. Co-opera-
ton of private doctors in following
Up cases also is essential, Health
Department officials noted, if the
$250000 survey is to be more than a
statistical compila alton. /
Agree Survey Is Success.
In addition to tuberculosis. the
X-rays showed some indications of
heart trouble in about 6 of one per
cent of those surveyed and of some
other pathologic trouble in about
per cent. These citizens were advised
to see private doctors, to whom the
X-ray plates will be available.
The X-ray machines were placed
throughout the city-in schools.
Government agencies, business es-
tablishments, and even travelling
nelghborhood units, to put the free
StlNllS NIllIllI easy ItdCll Vi SNSl
one. /.
The X-Rays first were taken on
small film. Residents were notified
by card of plates that showed no
indication of disease AS of June
4, about $4,000 persons had been .
advised to report to the survey GEN. :
ter at Weightman School, Twenty |
third and M streets NV, for re
take" x-Rays on larger film. +,
1890 of $4,000 Return. !
Owen c, BiEoWs of the Public :
Health Service. who has directed ;
the center, said that 14,300 of the /;
16, 1000 returned. AS soon as the 1
larger films are ready by doctors,
those indicating tuberculosis are sent j
to the District clinic and appoint {
ments are made for personal visits. /;
Mr. Billows said the ''retake clinic" I
probably will be in operation until I
July l6, though the small X-Ray
machines will stop operating We'd
nesday. The Office at Weightman
School will be open until the end {
Of the month, when all records and {
X-Ray films will be turned over to ,
the District Health Department.
The survey was sponsored by the =
Health Department, Public Health !
Service and District tuberculosis r
Association