Evening star., 1953-08-20
By John McKeIwoy


From the erk-typist who
jams her finger in the shift lock
to the Senator who collapses in
a f1libuster, quick medical aid is
available in the Government.
And when the bureau chief,
just back from an operation.
finds he could use some rest, he
can relax in one of 18 health
units" in the Government and
still put in a days work.
These health units are oper-
ated under the Federal Employe
Health Branch of the Public
Health Service. They have been
in operation since 1946, when
Congress set up the units for
"the purpose of promoting and
maintaining the physical and
mental fitness of employees of the
Federal Government"
Capitol Clinic Open to All.
At the Capitol, DR.. George w.
Calver, retired rear admiral,
runs a clinic open to everybody
from policemen to Congress-
men Even a spectator, suffer-
ing from a headache in one of
the galleries, could pick up some
temporary relief from the doc
tor or one of his staff. The
clinic has been open since 1923
and is operated by the Navy. DR..
Calver's title is attending ply
sician to Congress-"
In the District Building, the
clinic has been moved from the
fifth floor to quarters under the
main staircase on the first floor
Miss Florence Wallingford is the
nurse and has been for seven
years. The move was part of the
Districts reorganization.
The furniture in the clinic
was contributed by Lorton
prison, including the two beds.
Despite cramped quarters. Miss
Wallingford keeps a neat clinic.
Shortage of Nurses.
At the Municipal Center, the
first aid station on the fourth
floor is open from 10 am. to 3
pm. DR.. Daniel L. Seckinger,
Health Department director. has
had tough time stating the
clinic because of the shortage
of nurses.
With nurses always available
on the fifth floor, in the Health
Department, he finds it imprac-
tical to spare one for eight hours
in the little-used clinic. Often
nurses who soon will be "matern-
ity cases" and can't be used for
field work, are on duty. Health
Department doctors are available
in cases of emergencies.
The Municipal Center clinic
often has treated cases of chill
dren hurt near the building.
Parents, knowing there's a
Health Department nearby. send
the child to the clinic.
Health units In the Govern
ment are manned by United
States Public Health Service
nurses. Two doctors keep an
around-the-clock watch at the
Bueau of Engraving and Print
ing. Serious injuries can occur
there.
The nurse is ready to give first
aid, handle an injection, or To-
cate a doctor if he's needed.
Often mothers-to-be drop in for
a rest and are given advice on
prenatal care.
AbsenteeS Decrease.
What happens, DR.. j. j. Weiss
kopf. chief of the Federal EN-
ploye Health Branch believes, is
that personnel with. minor ILL
nesses make it to work know
ing that medical care is avail
able at the job. If they begin
to feel worse, they can drop by
the unit. It cuts the absentee
rate.
There is nothing compulsory
about using these units. Federal
workers can take them or leave
them They act. largely, as the
"go between" for the Govern
ment worker and the District
doctor. Referral to private ply
sicianS of the District Medical
Society is one of the main func-
tionS of the units.
Not all cases that drift into
the units are colds or hang
overs. Some persons just want
to get weighed. Others seem
mentally mixed up. And it's the
job Of the nurse to talk with
them, get an inkling of what's
eating the patient and recon-
mend a psychiatrist.
Sometimes just a switch in
Jobs ends the trouble.
Treatment. beyond the range