A girl, 3, victim of asthma and a minister, 72, struck by bronchitis, are both getting on well now after help from The Albert Steiner Memorial Lung Clinic at St. Joseph Infirmary.

This child and this man represent the spectrum of age of patients who may avail themselves, without cost, to the services of the clinic.

The clinic was begun by Dr. Lester Rumble, Jr. in 1962, and is the only clinic of this kind in the entire southeast area. Anyone with chronic ailments affecting the lungs or bronchial tree can be referred for diagnostic examinations and treatment, but referral must be made through a physician, who is asked to fill out a short form.

Total cost for diagnostic tests, examinations and a three week treatment course is about $110. Medicare insurance does apply to these costs and financial aid is available to medically indigent patients of the great Atlanta area through funds from the Steiner estate.

Patients of all ages, except infancy, are seen at the Lung Clinic.

The most common chronic lung disorder seen in the United States and the entire Western world today is a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. There has been an alarming increase in these conditions within the last decade and this is reflected in the large number of persons suffering from cough and shortness of breath seen at the Lung Clinic. Commonly these are middle-aged men at the peak of their career, and heavy smokers. Without advice and treatment, their productive years will be shortened and they will not be able to enjoy a retirement of pleasant activities.

The present clinic director, Dr. Brigitte “Bee” Nahmias, whose training and experience includes George Washington University, New York, Emory University and Grady Memorial Hospital, stressed the importance of cigarette smoking as a cause and aggravating factor in these diseases and the urgency of quitting, hard as that may be. In addition, each patient is given a pamphlet and detailed instructions to follow. These include many items from dietary advice to air conditioning and antibiotics. In contrast to some physicians, Dr. Nahmias is optimistic about the prognosis of these disorders when instructions are followed.

Among the other conditions, frequently seen at the Lung Clinic are asthmatic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, pulmonary fibrosis and hyperventilation.

Each patient referred is put on the waiting list and called in when his turn arrives. He then is asked a detailed respiratory history and undergoes many breathing tests. These are very important in diagnosing the disease, recording the amount of impairment already present and charting progress later on. They also help the physician determine what type of treatment will work best. Sometimes an arterial blood test for oxygen and carbon dioxide is also done. Chest X-rays are taken and sputum is collected for testing. The patient is then examined by the physician and the treatment is outlined. Usually, this involves daily visits for three weeks; treatments with Bird respirator are given three times a day. These treatment, called IPPB (intermittent positive pressure breathing) deliver medication under pressure into the bronchial tree. The medications serve to open up the bronchial passageways, shrinks swollen tubes, and help in bringing up sputum. The treatments also help ventilate the lungs better.

Other treatment includes instruction in exercise and postural drainage, walking with the aid of portable oxygen, prescriptions for helpful medications, and use of the ultrasonic nebulizer, which produces a great quantity of nebulized water of very small particle size is of help in bringing up secretions.

After a treatment course, each patient is seen again by the physician and some breathing tests are repeated to check on progress. At this time further instruction is given and the patient is referred back to his physician, who receives a full report.

Treatment is often a lifetime proposition and patients are followed at regular intervals in the Lung Clinic, where a congenial atmosphere insures pleasant experiences. Miss Ann Welger, the receptionist and secretary, keeps a close bond with all the patients, while Mrs. Emily Rozetta helps with financial aspects. Miss Judy Ponturo obtains the pulmonary function tests and Mrs. Mary Stephens instructs patients in use of the IPPB machines and exercises. Another technician, Bobby Stewart, himself a paraplegic, will soon return part-time after an injury, to instruct patients and also the students nurses of St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. This summer, there is also a medical student form Emory University, Sammy Campbell, learning the procedures and helping patients.