TY - JOUR
AU - Hilbish, Theodore F.
AB - Role of the Roentgenologist in a Proposed Plan for Small Film Screening of the Inhabitants of Major Cities 1 Theodore F. Hilbish , M.D. , Chief Office of Radiology, Tuberculosis Control Division U. S. Public Health Service, Washington, D. C. ↵ 1 Presented at the Thirty-third Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, Boston, Mass., Nov. 30–Dec. 5, 1947. Excerpt In tuberculosis control, as in any public health procedure, it is essential that cases be discovered early and that persons with the disease be prevented from spreading it to others. This is especially true for tuberculosis, as we have no universally accepted immunizing agent for the disease. The importance of the early diagnosis of tuberculosis cannot be overemphasized. A case discovered in the minimal stage is amenable to treatment and stands an excellent chance of complete recovery. Furthermore, a case discovered in this stage will, in the vast majority of instances, be non-infectious to the public. Granted, then, that we must discover the disease early, the question naturally arises as to how this may be accomplished. Until recent years we had no good answer to this question. Fortunately, however, a new tool has been discovered within the past decade with which it is possible to attain our goal. I am referring, of course, to the development of small-film photofluorography, that is, 35-mm., 70-mm., and 4 × 5-inch microfilm units. Tremendous advances have been and are still being made in this field. Due to the development of small-film x-ray units, we are in a position to take chest films of large segments of the population for screening purposes. We are today afforded unequaled opportunities to accomplish our aim of tuberculosis control, or even eradication, if we employ with vigor the methods of attack now at our command. The principal problem in our case-finding program today is that of getting people to the x-ray units for examination. The public, already fairly well educated about tuberculosis, must be continuously stimulated to action. A recent Gallup poll showed that 70 per cent of those interviewed thought tuberculosis was “catching”; 83 per cent felt that a person who has tuberculosis gets well. This is indeed encouraging to those who have worked so hard to get these facts to the people. A broad program of control based on sound principles will be effective only in proportion to its public acceptance and support. The ubiquity of tuberculosis and the magnitude of its harmful effects on the health and happiness of the American people are at last arousing public consciousness and stimulating nation-wide action. When the people demand a total assault on tuberculosis, we must be prepared to measure the problems, plan the offensive, and defeat the tubercle bacillus in a measurable period of time. The experience of the Tuberculosis Control Division since its inception in 1944 has taught us many things about the control of this disease. Starting with special occupational and racial groups, the Division learned a great deal concerning the nature, occurrence, and lethality of tuberculosis. At the same time, however, it found that our present procedure was too deliberate an attack upon a disease which is widespread and will not wait upon methods that are sound but slow. Copyrighted 1949 by The Radiological Society of North America, Inc.
TI - Role of the Roentgenologist in a Proposed Plan for Small Film Screening of the Inhabitants of Major Cities
JO - Radiology
DO - 10.1148/52.2.248
DA - 1949-02-01
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/radiological-society-of-north-america-inc/role-of-the-roentgenologist-in-a-proposed-plan-for-small-film-mqHMWTY7rr
SP - 248
VL - 52
IS - 2
DP - DeepDyve
ER -