The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-02
Dr.. Levy Asks for Reports
Concerning lnfantile Par
alysis Sufferers
SENDS OUT LETTERS
TO ALL PHYSICIANS
SAYS There Might BE Scores of
Cases in City Without Au-
thorities Knowing of
Them.

Convinced that infantile paralysis Is
infectious. and believing II possible
That many local children may be af-
fllcted with the terrible disense without
any official report of their cases hav-
ing been made. Or. Ernest G. Levy,
Chief Health officer has issued cir
cular letter to every physician in Rich
mond, asking him To report any and
all symptoms of the disease among
their patients.
Or. Levy who only returned from
his vacation Monday is alarmed over
the outbreak of several cases in this
city. Heretofore. he had been under
the impression that Richmond was free
from the germs which have spread the
affection throughout the more north
ern cities
"Evident1y we have the disease here
said DR.. Levy Monday. Now the thing
to do Is to find out how prevalent ii
In. For that reason | am getting cut
the circular letters
up 10 this time. we have been SO
certain that the city was free of the
disease. that / had taken no steps to-
ward making IT reportable. In most
Affections of a contagious or infectious
nature. 1t In required that the attend
ing physicians Immediately file re-
port tn the health office that we may
take the proper steps as to quarantine
and also toward finding the source,
and checking q possible epidemic.
There is nothing to compel physician
to report q cRse Of infantile paralysis
however, and there might easily be
scores of cases in Richmond at this
moment. without the Health Depart
ment being any the wiser.
Make il Reportable.
The circular letter well, / hope.
change this. At any rate. If hear of
many more cases shall endeavor 10
have the Board OF Health place the
affiiction In the list of reportable die
eases.
TT Ia sincerely to be hoped that all
this Is only Fl scare ard that there is
no epidemic-for infantile paralysis Ia
thing most difficult TO handle. In
deed medical science hasn't gotten very
far with H. It's origin for instance, Is
a matter OF much dispute. It's treat
ment is also far from being set. Worse
STILL too while the disease is not neces-
sarily fatal, 1t almost invariably leaves
the victim deformed.
There seems to be no doubt but that
the disease is here In the city. Where
II came from l don't know. nor do
known how many sufferers from 1t
there are
but | do know It is time to get
busy, and we have already started.
There is no question in my mind but
that the disease Is infectious and
something must be done to forestall
the possibility OF an epidemic"
Affects Nerve Roots.
The scientific name for infaptile
paralysis is anterior poffomyetttts,
which, being Interpreted means an
Ha
spinal column. The disease usually
confines itself TO the lumbar regions.
affecting the lower limbs for the most
part Not infrequently. however. Ii
ais, affects the arms and upper sec
lions Of the child's body.
Government experts and physicians
generally are nnre- sndeaNnring to find
a cure for the disease,
SO far II appears that they are
equally in the dark as to its origin.
Two little girls. crippled from in
fRntiie paralysis, are patients at the
Retreat for the Sick.
One is Minnie Wills. eleven years
old. who was brought to the hospital
from the home of her parents at
Traxton's, in Bedford county, nearly
a year and half ago. AS result
OF treatment under the care of DR..
r. r. Marshall. she has been able
to walk little with the aid of
crutches since that time.
The other child is Luanna Saun-
ders. ten years old, from Caroline
county. She has been at the hospital
hardly two months
The legs OF both children are with
cred and bent, and neither has been
x<ple to do much walking since they
were infants,
Stricken When Babe.
Speaking OF his patient Tuesday
Or. Marshall said that she undouht
edly had infantile paralysis when a
babe. The child has been provided
with steel braces, but they seem to
do her little good
In addition 10 her crippled legs, the
child is also suffering from left lateral
curvature. as her doctor expresses It,
Luanna Saunders is under care of
DIR. II. S. MacLean. who at present
has her legs In stout bandages.
Both children keep very cheerful
despite their pitiful condition.