Evening star., 1952-07-01
Our Worst Health Problem
By Wallace E. CIoyton

Arresting a case of tuberculosis
is only half the battle.
Statistics released by the Dis
trict tuberculosis Association re-
veal that so per cent of improved
Itubercular patients sent directly
back to their homes from treat
ment hospitals will either die
within five years or return to the
hospitals within that time with
Iagain-active cases.
This discouraging fact was the
principal reason for the establish
ment of the Upshur street tubercu-
losis hospital as a rehabilitation
center. The convalescent center,
organized in 1943, is described as
"the only bright spot in the whole
tuberculosis situation in WASH
ington" by Edward K. Funkhouser,
executive secretary of the District
tuberculosis Association.
Since the Upshur street pro-
gram was set up 80 per cent of the
patients who have been "grad-
ually discharged during a five
year study period are still well
and gainfully employed.
Work Tolerance Tested.
Under the rehabilitation pro-
gram-considered radical by many
persons when it was first pro-
|posed-patients whose sputum
tests have remained negative
over a period of time are sent to
Upshur street to be hardened"
before final discharge.
Here, they are given occupa-
tional therapy so physicians can
determine their work tolerance" :"
If doctors feel the patient must
learn an easier trade than the one
he followed before he became i'll,
he receives that training at Dis
trict trade or vocational schools, or
at the Goodwill Industries work.
shop.
Furthermore--and tuberculosis
experts say this Is of vital impor-
tance-the patients are prepared
psychologicaly to return to normal
living.
"A tuberculosis patient who has
been in a hospital for a year or
two has been living in another
world" Mr.. Funkhouser says. "He
practically has to be taught how
to cross the street again"
Taught to Be Active.
| DR.. David Leibovici, director of
the Upshur Street Hospital, de-
lscribes the rehabilitation program
in this way:
"Just a few years ago, a recu-
lperating patient was merely told,
Go home and take it easy TAX
ing it easy meant different things
to different people. Many felt they
were too ill to work and became
permanent drains on their fam
lilies or on the city. Now we're
teaching them they have place
in the community and can fill it.
without harm to themselves
The gain to the city and the
Nation is stressed by DR.. Howard
M. Payne, director Of the Freed
mems Hospital tuberculosis service.
1--WE no longer have an in
'exhaustible supply Of people in
the country" he says. "The re-
quirements Of the armed forces
and the n1anpower needs in a full
production economy demand that
we conserve as many people as
possible.
Although rehabilitation is still
such a new problem over the
country it is hard to put a none
tary value on the program, Mr..
Funkhouser offers these figures as
In a new program undertaken |
by the Delaware tuberculosis As
sociation % persons with mega
tive tuberculosis were rehabili-
tated during 1851. Average cost |
was $40O a patient. They were
trained in such occupations as
switchboard operators, cashiers,
radio repairmen and stenograph-
erS.
All Get Jobs.
All have now found positions,
and the estimated annual income|
Tor the group is $50, ,376..
Although the fiedgling rehabili-
tatlon program here is the lone
bright spot in q tuberculosisl