.December 17, MM

The Herald and The Lantern

Pages

Birth Defect**

(FromPagei) Dr. George Halpin, state director of Chikl and Parental Health Services, is expected to elaborate oft information and data involving the occurrence of 15 major and 20 minor birth abnormalities since 1976 primarily in the yea south of Rio Grande. County Health coordinator Louis Lamanna, who wasn’t aware of the Ledger article, said Monday that it sounded like the newspaper had access to the state report. "I haven’t seen a copy of the report yet," he said. He also acknowledged, however, that the Ledger report may have been nothing more than an update of information that has previously been reported. "YOU GOT ME ,the health coordinator replied when asked if he thought the Ledger article represented any new information or was merely a rehash.

Dr. Halpin had stated a month ago, when news of his preliminary findings was reported, that the duster of birth defects was so unusual that chance occurrence had to be ruled out. It was also previously reported that it was the occurrence of the birth abnormalities in a relatively small, dose area that was unusual, not the actual number of cases. In his report today - which is not open to the general public — Dr. Halpin is expected to detail joint efforts to be taken by officials of both the state health and environmental protection agencies. COUNTY FREEHOLDER Gerald Thornton, who oversees the County Health Dept., called for a thorough testing of ground water months ago shortly after the btrth defects problem was first reported. Also in the works on the county level, is an

application for environmental and health assistance from the federal level. Ajipong the birth defects pin-pointed were several cases of hydrocephaly, three of congenital heart disease, two each of spina bifida and cleft palate, and one each of Down’s syndrome, microcephaly and gastroschisis. Last spring when the problems were first reported, health officials indicated the birth defects could be due to chance.

Hepatitis -

‘First Call’ Is On Move In October

RIO GRANDE - October was a very eventful month for the First Call For Help program. It began with a move of offices within the Social Services Building. Our new office is in the center of the building and provides easier access for agencies and walk-in clients. Along with the continuing caseload of 750 calls a month. First Call For Help has been active in community support and coordination.. The first project was coordinating United Way Agency presentation in the 1981 campaign. The second project was cooperating

with the County Mental Health Coordinator in helping to conduct a Key Informant Mental Health Survey detailing and investigating the mental health needs in Cape May County. FIRST CALL also conducted a key informant survey to discover mentally retarded-men tally ill target population not receiving social services. This project was done for the Disabled -Services Committee of the Human Services Coalition. At the end of the month director David Quinlan appeared on Philadelphia WKBS Channel 48’8 F.Y.I. (For Your Information)

CHECKING TEMPERATURES during a quality control procedure in the hospital's new laboratory is Susan O’Brien, registered histology technician, using the tissue processor. Burdette has New Lab

COURT HOUSE - "It is all new, bright and four times as large, so we do more and do it quickly," according to Mike Kin, chief technologist, (about the new laboratory at Burdette Tomlin Hospital. On the first flbor, the new facility is part of the Phase III renovation and construction project. The lab is now centrally located and only steps away from the Emergency Dept., Intensive Care and Surgery so that precious time is saved. WITH EXPANSION* of the laboratory, there is now a separate histology section. Previously, all tissue had to be sent to the Atlantic City Medical Center for examination and evaluation. Now, in most cases, physicians can have

correction('hibor.u ion

A few names wereeRher mis-spelled or omitted by the typesetter in last week’s Seven Mile Beach News Notes column. The names should have been the Andrew Woelerys Edna and Hugh Hunter and ‘Spike* Fisher, who gave thanks for the police and fire depts. during the Chamber of Commerce gathering.

program discussing the program, whiich was broadcast fourteen times in a one-week period. From this presentation, ongoing spot ads, and TV Community Bulletin Board sports, First Call has received a number of calls directly from this on-air publicity. First Call For Help will continue outreach and community agency education and publicity in the coming months. First Call For Help links clients with the service support they need. The number, in operating round the clock, is 729-2255 (729CALL)

(From Page 1) county, the latest lead "may turn out not to be anything.” While acknowledging that "we really don’t know the origin,” Mr. Lamanna said, "it could have originated outside of the county." Investigation of such common sources of hepatiUs infection as the eating of shellfish from polluted waters and from in-hospital transmission have been checked out and neither proved to be the cause. "WE DON’T HAVE A common source at this time," he emphasized. Lamanna said that the failure of some doctors in not immediately reporting hepatitis cases they treated did hamper the health department’s work in that it may have prevented an earlier conclusion. He termed the failure to report "unfortunate,” but said he did not believe it was intentional on the physicians’ part but rather due to busy practices. Doctors' cooperation is now 100 per cent, the county health official added. According to Lamanna, the "index case" of hepatitis was from Camden County, and that investigation revealed that offspring of one family had infected offspring of another family.

Foster Grandparents (From Page I) youngsters go into the schools, but It is sometimes dtfrk-ult to And suitable slt«. "I'm looking for expansion In Cape May County, but It's a question of finding an appropriate site," Rosenberg noted Monday The overall Foster Grandparents Program sponsored by Atlantic Human Resourcea Includes 1* volunteers In the two counties providing companionship and S ldance to handicapped youngsters at y care centers, hospitals and detention centers as well as schools. They will devote more than ISO,WO hours to these children during the period of the grant. EACH VOLUNTEER DEVOTES two hours a day to each of two children, reading stories, playing games, helping with speech or physical therapy Anyone to or older who Is interested in volunteering thru the FGP locally may v contact Rosenberg at 345-2590 Action, the agency that provided the grant, was formed in 1971 when several volunteer programs - including the Peace Corps and Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) — were grouped into one agency.

Holiday Deadlines Because of the Christmas and New Yearj holidays, the Herald and the Lantern will be distributed on Tuesday Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, and deadlines must be altered. For the 23rd issue, the deadlines will be Wednesday, Dec. 17 for news, Dec. 18 for display advertising, and noon Dec. 19 for classified ads. For the Dec. 30th issue, deadlines will be Tuesday, Dec. 23 for news and display ads, noon Friday. Dec. 26 for class ads.

WE SHOW

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an analysis of tissue removed during surgery within 24 hours. This is accomplished through the use of a totally enclosed tissue processor. The processor eliminates exposure to fumes, temperature and other environmental change. The addition of the histology section to the laboratory, makes the Burdette Tomlin laboratory full-service. "A MODERN wellequipped and properly staffed laboratory is essential for the provison of high quality medical care to our patients,” notes hospital administrator William Waldron. "We are very proud and appreciative of our new laboratory facilities. They are a significant factor in the evolution of Burdette Tomlin as a full-service Community and General hospital " In addition to the histology section, the laboratory consists of hematology, bacteriology, and, the blood bank facilities. It has been designed and organized so that technicians won't be under one another's feet but, on the other hand, will enable an individual on night duty to conveniently perform all necessary tests without loss of time. Ample seating is available.

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