Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1961-06-30
Migrants Health
Program Is Praised
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tCOnllDueu lfOIl page ONc)
their offices and clinics to go on a
summer-long tour of labor camps
and farms.
At the outset of each season, ar
rangements are made with farmers
who employ migrant workers to
have their personnel tested by the
medical team. Strict schedules are
prenared and a mobile unit and
testing team is dispatched.
Workers who show questionable
lung conditions are given addition
al tests to determine whether or
not active tuberculosis is present
A similar procedure is followed
with the venereal disease tests.
Detailed records are maintained
and Identification cards are issued
toassure proper follow-up and to
maintain contact with the workers.
in 1856 when committee of public
in 1856 when a committee of public
spirited citizens was appointed by
the governor of Delaware to study
the entire migrant labor problem.
The committee in turn requested
that the state board of health make
an appraisal of health services
needed bv migrant workers and
initiate action TO establish some de-
gree of regular health care.
A survey of field revealed that
about 1000 seasonal workers are
employed at about $50 labor camps
for the harvesting and processing
of potatoes, asparagus, beans and
tomatoes raised principally in Kent
and Sussex Counties.
One of the outgrowths of this
study was the drive against TB and
venereal disease. The three coop
Grating agencies decided to share
expenses and personnel. thus bring
ing the proportionate costs within
thereach of all three groups.
Between IS and 80 per cent of
all migrant workers are examined
each year by the mobile unit team.
Members of the team from the State
Board of Health include a sanatar-
ian, health educator, and medical
supervisor
The tuberculosis society in turn
provides a cooperative director of
the project, clerical aid. film supp
lies health and registration cards,
film reading services and mainten-
ance of the X-ray unit. From the
u. S. Public Health Services Ven
vD investigator, technicians, elm
"a vD investigator, techicians, elm
icians, clericalaid on the mobile
gunit. drugs and supplies.
The actual field team includes
2 X ray teehnicians, two serolog-
lists, and two clerks. AS each migrant
laborer enters the mobile units, a
registrationcard is filled out. One
copy of this card is used by the
health. team and the other copy be-
comes a personal record for the la
borer. A70-mm. X-ray is taken of
the laborerand blood test is taken
at table placed outside the bus.
This simple but thorough pro-
gram resulted in the detection OF
seven cases of active tuberculosis
in 1860. 9 cases in 1859, and s
cases in 1858.
In the 1860 seroiogy survey IL
per cent of the migrants were
found to have veneral dieSase. A
total of 800 OF the 1902 migrants
tested showed positive reactions
Similar findings were realized in
1858 and 1859.
When a chest X-ray looks quest
ionable. the farmer or crew leader
is asked to bring the laborer to the
county health unit, in no case more
than eight miles away, for a large
X-ray. Within five days from the
the original small film was taken
in the filed, the large X-ray is read
and diagnosed.
New cases of tuberculosis are re-
ferred to the hospital or are sent
home. II is found that the migrant
workers areusually quite willing to
disqualification to regain their
health.