Evening star., 1952-08-31

STAR Stan Photo
RENAH F. CAVALIER
Pledges war on tuberculosis.
the lack Of some clinic facilities
or some hospitals, or personnel to
take care of tuberculosis because
that is exactly what it comes to in
the end. When we have them, we
can really get rid of this disease.
Laboratory Under equipped.
II have visited our Health De-
partment laboratory. It's under
stated and under-equipped to do
the job of diagnosis that must be
done. In 1851, there were 10000
new cases OF tuberculosis studied
in our clinics but our laboratory
made only 100 tests by which a
certain Identification of tubercu-
losis could be made. I have been
advised that the expenditure of
SAL 900 in personnel and equip
ment would enable our laboratory
to make a sure diagnosis in each
case. Until that money becomes
available. victims of the disease
and those who fear they may have
it must spend weeks and months
in uncertainty while their families
and neighbors run the risk of in
fection. I intend to work for ade-
Iquate funds in this budget to en-
able the District laboratory to ex-
pand its facilities for the funda-
mental task of reaching a sure
diagnosis in every case.
"Dr. Howard M. Payne, chief
physician in tuberculosis at Freed
mems Hospital. brings to my at
teption the seriousness of this
problem. In Washington last
year. says DR.. Payne, we had 800
preventable deaths and we dis
covered 1904 new active cases Of
tuberculosis. It's rather remark
able to me that the community
has not exhibited. any indignation
over the fact that these prevent
able tragedies are still occurring
within our midst
1.-The way we tell about tu-
berculous activity is by culture of
the body secretions Of patients,
drawing out stomach washings.
growing them on suitable culture
media or culturing the Sputum.
I. have here a figure that is al
most unbelievable. We did 100
cultures of sputum and secretions
in the District laboratories in
1850. Unfortunately. 1851 figures
are not yet available. Now that
lis for some $500 supposedly cases
of tuberculosis. and we think we
know the number active"
"The lack of laboratory aids
for diagnosis is very clearly shown
in any attempt to follow through
on the records of our patients. AL
Though tuberculosis activity can be
accurately diagnosed by means Of
sputum cultures and stomach cul-
ture washings studied in the lab
boratory, our clinicianS do not
have these aids. We have no ade-
|quate bacteriologic diagnostic ia
cilities by today's standards. These
|diagnostic services are available to
clinics and private physicians
through most State and city
health departments. Here. they
can be supplied only through pri-
vate laboratories"
"'We've been negligent and in
different to the continued presence
of q preventable disease in our
midst. The human misery, the
tragic consequences Of illness are
bad enough when they are in
escapable. think that they must
constantly reproach the commu-
nifty which has failed to prevent
them"
"These words call. for action
immediate action-and the Dis
trict must face the fact that it
does not have enough beds to hos
pitalize all those needing treat
ment for tuberculosis. not suffi-
cient equipment. That is q need
that must be met. In the mean
while, however, approximately
/ 900 District residents are active
tuberculosis cases, infectious but
not hospitalized. AS they wait.
they grow progressively worse.
They also endanger the entire
community. Since they cannot
be hospitalized they must be cared
for at home. We have drugs that
can save lives but these patients
are not getting them. I have
been advised that $92 900 will as
sure a weekly visit from a doctor
and two weekly visits from a nurse
for all those awaiting hoSpltali-
Zation.
WIN Seek Further Funds.
Preliminary studies for possible
additional facilities at Glenn Dale
where the capacity Is now CSC
beds, are in the process Of COM
pletion, and should very shortly
be before the Board of Com
missioners for consideration.
"In this connection I shall strive
to then secure other funds neces-
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