New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1909-08-11
CHIlD's DISEASE.
Called Infantile Paralysis il Fatal.
Unknown Germ Cause of Trou-
bic. Children between 2 &
8 Years are Attacked.
Death Follows Unless Given At
tentiOn.

Death Follows Unless Given At
tentiOn.
A number of cases of what ia called.
infantile paralysis are reported from
different parts of the country. The dis
ease is not very common one. al
thosgh epidemics of large proportions
have been known. Vermont and Mas
sachusetts have been visited by this
disease. Northfeld, Mimi, had 30
cases this spring; Winona, st. Paul. !.
Minneapolis report number of cases
which were fatal. A prominent Min
neapolis physician gave out the fol-
lowing statement regarding the dis
ease: 'Infantile paralysis is a dis
sease OF early life, affecting certain
parts OF the spinal cord, producing
paralysis of the arms or legs. It usu-
ally begins with what the parents
think is stomach trouble. A day or
two OF fever, with lack of appetite, de-
ranged bowels, nausea and general
pains, is usually followed by COM
plete paralysis OF the legs or a leg and
an arm. The paralysis is usually COM
plete by the time it is disco vered, and
it comes rather suddenly, being dis
covered usually when the mother tries
to get the child up in the morning.
1t is very rarely fatal. The fever
ends when the paralysis begins. I'm
provement usually takes place in the
paralyzed limbs, motion being re-
gained up to q certain point, beyond
which recovery of motion is not to be
expected. It is germ disease. The
nature OF the germ is unknown. It is
thought by some to be contagious and
by others to be infectious. It is sup
posed to be due to germ which
spreads through dust, dirt and earth.
Nothing definite being known of the
nature Of the germ, it is hard to saw
how best to prevent tho disease. Gem
eral cleanliness of children, simple
diet, the avoidance of uncooked fruit
and vegetables, and keeping children
from playing in the dirt are advised.
Another physician advances the the
ory that flies are carrying the disease
from deposits in the streets.
I The University of Minnesota is tax
ing an active interest in the epidemic
in st. Paul and the affected organs of
several of the children who have died
with the disease have been sent to the
university for exhaustive research.
Confronted by 81 cases of infantile
paralysis and rapidly increasing
epidemic throughout the suburban,
parts of Winona, the city council con-
vened last week in extraordinary ses-
sion and ordered the streets of Vino
ma to be sprinkled day and night.
Members OF the health departments
and physicians of the city generally
agreed that the present epidemic ap-
pears to originate from the blown de-
posts OF horses on the dry streets.
Twelve years ago a sweeping epidemic
OF disease of almost the same dag
nosis affected horses in this vicinity
and has appeared since. From this.
source, it is believed, the infection of
the city has resulted. The health
board was in constant communication
with the authorities of Eau Claire.
Wis, where an epidemic was suffered
last year. Eau Claire said that they
had sprinkled the streets when con-
fronted with the epidemic, which in
cluded about 100 cases, but were not
prepared to say that the sprinkling
stayed the epidemic.
A peculiar phase of the disease is,
that children when recovering pua
their entire weight on one limb and
the afflicted limb gradually turns In.
leaving the child with club foot.
The Ladies' Seminary of the Eyanp
lutheran church will nor ~ 49,. :. -