The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-08-18
INFANTIlE PARALYSIS.
Continued from first pase)

ing disturbance, those precautions can
do no harm but only good. while II
the symptoms were really preliminary
symptoms OF poliomyelitis. the rest
and care continued after they abate
may tayorably modify the subsequent
attack. perahps making il possible for
The child 70 escape serious paralysis
and even death.
. Il is likely, from data collected
in many different countries and in
The different states in this country
that there will be a repetition III a
greater or less degree. in Minnesota of
the outbreak OF last year. But history
shows that the outbreaks will probably
be chiefly in districts not affected last
year.
10. As good citizens, help in every
way all measures TO prevent wide
spread trouble during the summe
from this disease. Insist that cases
which occur are promptly reported 10
the health authorities. Insist that wa
tering OF the streets be thoroughly
done. Insist that sick horses and
colts. do not run at large in your
community. Notify the health author
tiles of any animals, especially horses,
suffering from this disease or anything
like il.
IL The great preventives and the
best treatment for this disease are
quiet, rest and good food. Keep your
children in good physical condition.
without overeXcitement or fatigue
while they are we'll. If they become
sick call a physician promptly and
whatever treatment is used, remember
that rest and quiet are the essentials
also. The more quiet the patient can
be kept the better they will do. Pre-
vent visitors from any kind from see
ing the patient.
.nosis, physician may require to draw
off from the spinal canal some of the
spinal fluid. This is known as lumbar
%puncture and is done with a hypoder-
mic needle. Properly performed it is
harmless. 1t often does good. and the
material if sent to the state board of
health laboratory for examination. will
enable a diagnosis to be made. 1t is
most important not to mistake epidem-
ic cerebro-spinal meningitis for this
disease, which it sometimes resembles.
The distinction cannot be made in
some cases without lumbar puncture,
al least soon enough TO do any good.
The Importance of knowing which dis
ease the patient has is this-for cpl
demic cerobro- spinal meningitis FleX-
ner's serum, a very efficient remedy
can be used. For poliomyelitis no
serum Is known.
We are still far from knowing all
that we should about p~olimyelitis, al
though we have learned a great deal
since last year. The study of the in
ternal organs of patients who have
died Of this disease is essential to
further progress. 1t should be re-
garded as the duty of all good citi-
Gems to allow such studies to be made
in CASE of death. The fact that sor-
row and death have come into your
household, should show you personal
ly how serious a matter this disease
is, and you should permit the loss of
your child to be of service for the
general welfare. Without this your
child has indeed died in vain. All
that we know in this state of the
pathology of the disease is due to
the broad sympathy of s%orrowing par.
ents who allowed scientific examina
ton of their children dead of this
disease. Only five such noble ex-
amples were found last year and tc
those parents the rest of the commu
nifty owe a great debt of gratitude
That other parents will be found will
ing TO emulate them is necessary fol
further progress in our knowledge anC
ability TO cop with the disease.