On May 7, 1956, a mobile tuberculosis van traveled through Saskatoon, stopping at schools to assist in a province-wide survey aimed at identifying individuals with tuberculosis. This initiative was part of a mass screening effort that ultimately x-rayed over 15,000 residents in the area.
Mass Survey in Saskatoon
According to reports from the StarPhoenix archives, a total of 15,205 people had been x-rayed as part of the TB survey underway in Saskatoon. Mrs. Fraser Logan, director of the organizational committee, announced that this figure included surveys conducted in schools and nursing homes the previous week, as well as individuals who visited survey points at Caswell, Buena Vista, and Victoria schools up to noon on that day.
Survey Points Busy
Mrs. Logan noted that all three survey locations were kept fairly busy during the morning. She emphasized that if any person was not home when a canvasser called and did not receive a survey card, they should still attend the survey site. The response was robust, with Caswell School examining 561 individuals by noon, while Victoria and Buena Vista schools each recorded 321 examinations. Combined with the previous week's total of 13,974, the overall number reached 15,205.
Historical Context
The van, photographed at Buena Vista School, was part of a broader public health effort to combat tuberculosis, a leading cause of death at the time. The City of Saskatoon Archives, in collaboration with the StarPhoenix, preserves this image as part of a weekly series revisiting historical moments from the city's past.
This archival story is presented with original writing style, grammar, and punctuation preserved to maintain authenticity. The survey demonstrated the community's proactive approach to public health, aiming to identify and treat TB cases early.
