The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-08-24
MEDICS TO STUDY
INFANTILE MALADY
Washington Association De
termines TO Investigate Dis
ease Paralyzing Babies.

That a complete investigation viii be
made OF the infantile paralysis situation
in Washington was the announcement
today Of the Medical Association Of the
District Of Columbia
It the same time. the association. in
an Official bulletin issued at the close
OF a meeting in George Washington
University Hall last night, "depreeates
the undue alarm which has been ex-
cited about this disease
The meeting was behind closed doors.
According to officials OF the associa-
ton. TO definite line OF action was de-
eided upon The question OF the com
nlunicabiIity Of the disease, concerning
which there was a difference OF opinion
was discussed. but IN regard 10 the
care and treatment OF patients and the
advisable Of isolation the ASSOCIATION
did not commit itself
These subjects viii be given cOnsid-
Grafton by the ASSOCIATION IN IT'S n
vestigation OF the disease. which VIII
be conducted along the lines followed
in New YOrks inquiry into the disease
Statement to the Public
The resolution announcing 70 the pub
lie that undue alarm has been caused
by the publicity given the disease is as
follows:
trict Of Columbia, convened in special
session by order Of tre president, on
August 3. TO consider the prevalence OF
acute anterior policnyeIItis, which IS
reported TO be rife in the District OF
Columbia and its neIehborhood-
They unanimously desire 20 deure-
cate the undue alarm which has been
excited about this disease. Even in
severe epldemics only about one person
per thousand IS attacked. and one death
per ten thousand Of population is an
unusually high mortality.
Remembering that infantile dfarrhoea
ella ms one out OF every UuVeuty-rhree
children who die. and that bronchitis
anC other respiratory diseases cause
the death Of one in every forty CHI
dren, making a total IN the District Of
LOluInDla OF more than 20 per snDuIn,
u should be obvious how disprop0r-
tionate is the alarm which IS nov e1l-
cited about IufautiIe paralysis
Difference Of Opinion
In the discussion before the assoCia-
ton opposite views were expressed by
Health Officer Woodward and DR.
George y. Acker. as 10 the c0mmunI-
cabiliIy Of the disease. Dr. Woodward
advised that patients be isolated. and
that ali cases be reported 10 the Health
Department.
we want each Of you 10 cooperate
and DO what YOU can 10 aid the Health
Department III its investigation Of the
lisease, said the Health OffCcr- I be
i've thai we should work &c ward com
pIete isolation OF the disease and that
al cases should be reported.
Dr. Aczer expressed the opinion that
the disease is not contagious, and said
there IS no evidence to show there is an
epidemic
y think il was 3 mistake on the part
OF the Health Department" said Dr.
Acker. % 20 announce that the mortality
rate has been between IS and IS per
ces-- when IN rea ity Il has not been
OUsT . per cent
Returns Incomplete
L was explained at the Health De
Dartrnent today that this statement. as
announced at the time, was based On
the incomplete records, as all cases Of
infantiIe paralysis are not reported
4 resolution offered By Dr. c. LLOYD
RvsSrUl>ler that the Public Health and
y aSirre Hospital Service be called upon
To make a general investigation Of the
seaSe throughout the country was de-
feated on the ground that l. might
caIse undue alarm
Confirmation OF the report that Dr-
OSIpr. the famous Baltimore physician,
has heen making an investigation q the
infan.IS5 paralysis situation II Wash
ir5lCT could not be obtained today i
was said that no mention Of Dr. OSle-
was made Ut the meeting last night
and that he was not in attendance