The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-04

'@-N--~A H. VIII DC the principal
subject under discussion at the gath
ering OF the country's most distin-
guished physicians,
1t Is hoped, and IT seems to be the
opinion OF meny Of the leading physi-
clans OF this and other cities. that the
association will indorse and go on
record as favoring the idea suggested
by Dr. Lloyd Magruder at a meeting
OF the District Medical Association at
the George Washington University Au-
gust %.
The plan OF coping nth the disease.
as suggested by DR.. Magruder, is to
make the Marine Hospital Service
great clearing house. thus enabling
the medical profession to get con-
densed data and statistics on the sub
Ject
Information to BE Direct.
Instead Of the physicians getting infor-
nation piecemeal from different sections
Of the country. as Is now done through
medical Journals they would get full and
authoritative information direct.
There seems 10 be some doubt among
medical men whether the Marine Hospital
Service has authority 70 take over the
matter and order a special investigation.
and not alone does the matter OF such
authority seem 70 be hazy with the phv-
sicans but many OF the medical journals
are wondering II such a step can be
taken without additional legislation. But
the right OF the Marine Hospital Service
fn take he
by Congress IN an act 70 increase the
efficiency Of the Marine Hospital Service
Section OF this act states that the Presi-
dent Is authorized 20 use the Public Health
and Marine Hospital Service 10 promote
the public interest. Section authorizes
the appointment OF an advisory board for
the hygienic laboratory for consultation
with the Surgeon General OF the Marine
Hospital Service relative TO investigation
That this advisory board should be
summoned upon this disease Is the opin-
ion not only Of DR.. Magruder. but Of
many Of the leading physicians OF the
city. The present board is composed OF
some Of the most competent and eminent
medical men Of the country, such as DR..
Walter D. McGaw, surgeon, L. S. A.;
Surgeon Charles S. Butter, L. s N; DR..
A, D Melvin, l. s. Bureau Of Animal
Industry; John F. Anderson, L. s. Ma
rine Hospital Service; Prof William H.
WEIGH. Johns Hopkins University; Prof.
Simon Flexner. Rockefeller Institution
for Medical Research: Prof Victor c.
Vaughan. University OF Michigan: Prof.
William T. Sedgwick, Massachusetts In
sutute Of Technology, and Prof. Frank F.
Wesbrook. University Of Minnesota
1t appears that there never was a more
propitious time for the summoning of
this board, and with such men as COM
pose the advisory council in consultation
information now unknown would be given
the medical world regarding InfantiIe pa
ralysis In addition 10 this provision the
same act states that when. in the opinion
OF the surgeon general OF the Marine
Hospital Service, the public health would
be promoted by a conference Of the afore-
said board with State and territorial
boards OF health. he may invite such
boards 70 send delegates TO confer with
the advisory board. In section 9 OF the
same act the President is granted addi-
tional power TO prescribe rules for the
conduct Of the Public Health and Marine
Hospital Service
AT the recent meeting Of the District
Medical Association the objection raised
against DR.. Magruders suggestion was
that It would serve to cause undue alarm.
But II is now the opinion OF many who
opposed his resolution that some meas
ure tending TO centralize efforts 10 COM
bat the disease should be taken at once
Time Ripe for Action.
With the number OF cases OF infantile
paralysis growing from day TO day, the
time seems 20 be ripe for some con
certed action Of the medical profession
regarding this matter. That the disease
is spreading rapidly is seen by the re-
ports OF the several medical journals.
and that the public has occasion TO be-
come alarmed is evident It IS the belief,
not only OF many physicians. but OF
many private persons that some step
should be taken by the government 10
combat the trouble. regardless OF the
scare that It might occasion.
At the outset II was a matter Of con-
as to whether the disease was
contagious. but all doubts have been dis
PEELED on this score. The report OF the
collective investigation committee. OF
New York, states that the acute poll
omyeletis Is an infectious disease. This
report was made by a committee made
up OF some OF the country's most emf
nent physicians. That the opinion and
service to be gained by a government
advisory board in consultation with
STATE officials is at this time most urgent
Is evident from the rapid spread Of the
fatal disease. The summoning of such
a board would only be an extension Of
the idea that has been carried out in
many Of the States. it Is claimed.
The Journal Of the American Medical
Association states that up to August It
nifty cases of infantile paralysis had
been reported in Mason City. Iowa. The
State board met on that date TO consider
the best way Of dealing with the dis
ease. According TO a statement of DR..
G. H. Summers. of the Iowa board OF
health. one-third OF the babies born in
the State during the summer have died.
and most OF these deaths have been the
result OF infsntile paralysis. Massachu-
sets and many other States have placed
a quarantine around the disease.
The American Orthopedic Society and
the American Pediatrlc Society held their
annual conventions in this city last May
and appointed a committee TO urge vari-
Gus State and municipal health authori-
ties TO ascertain the origin OF the dis
ease and to instruct the public that the
diseaEe is communicable
From a resolution adopted by the as