A cystic fibrosis study-center that will make possible a three-front attack on the glandular disease has been established in New Orleans.
The center, a co-operative venture of Charity hospital and the Louisiana State university' and Tulane university schools of medicine, was announced by the National Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation.
Initiated by a $6522 grant from the foundation, it may bej renewed each year for an indefinite length of time. Hereditary Disease
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that causes many body! glands to secrete abnormally,' thus affecting particularly the lungs and intestines.
It usually is accompanied by repeated attacks of pneumonia due to blockage -bf" bronchial tubes with thick secretions and may require hospitalization several times a year.
The center will be located at Tulane medical school and laboratory facilities for conducting: tests will also be available at! the LSU medical school.
It will be operated mainly for indigent patients at Charity hospital, but will also serve private practitioners for consultation. Three Directions
The program will move in three directions: j
•1. Provide direct services to j indigent patients.
■2. Serve to improve teaching programs for undergraduate medical students, interns and residents at Charity hospital.
3. Make possible the expansion of research projects closely related to cystic fibrosis. Director of the new center is Dr. William "Waring, associate professor of pediatrics at Tulane. Dr. Betting Hilman. instructor in pediatrics at LSU, is assistant director. Diagnosis Key
Key to the problem of patient care is early diagnosis and in-j tensive home medical treatment. Without this, approximately half the patients born with the disease will die .before the age of five.
The new center in New Orleans is one of 30 that have been established by the national foundation in the past year.
The New Orleans chapter of the foundation, headed by Robert Eckstein, will work closely with personnel of the center.
