Top left: Technician John Crowder (right) makes an X-ray of an employee’s
chest. X-rays are part of the initial and periodical physical examinations
given to employees. Top right: Blood tests are also a feature of the exam
inations. Lower left: Nurse Juanita Duncan adjusts the controls of the
radio-therapy machine used in treating muscular aches, etc. Lower right:
Harold Mooney adjusts water temperature control on hydro-therapy machine.
consider the fact that during the past five years
the medical staff has made 8,000 physical exam
inations and handled 20,000 cases.
Realizing that health and safety go hand in
hand, the medical and safety departments are col
laborating in their efforts to make Ecusta a
healthier, happier and safer place to work. As
a result, the general health of employees has great
ly improved and there has been an amazing drop
in the accident frequency rate in both divisions.
The Paper Division had an accident frequency
rate of 4.62 in 1949. This rate was .426 for 1953.
There has been an equally impressive decrease in
the rate for the Film Division. In 1952 the fre
quency rate being 3.42 and in 1953 1.48.
As has been stated before, the business of the
medical department is not in the treatment of dis
ease, but in the promotion of health. This is done
in several ways—physical examinations, therapeu
tic services, health education, medical records,
special clinics, and personal consultations. The
treatment of on-the-job injuries and illnesses is
handled by the medical staff, but the treatment of
other, personal, illness is left to the family doctor
or to the directed specialists.
Much can be written—much can be said—of
our medical department, but the records tell the
story. Many employees are enjoying a healthier
and happier life today because of the program
which started just five short years ago. We are
fortunate in having this free service available—
twenty-four hours a day.