The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-10-06
Epidemic Paralysis

L. Eiker, of this city, appeared in
Mondays Register and Leader:
Leon, Ia.-To the Editor: Epi-
demio paralysis are the words pla-
carded upon many of the homes of
Mason City. What does it mean?
1t means a disease that is epidemic
in character; disease that af-
fects children; disease that invari-
ably cripples it's victim for life; a
disease that has not large mortali-
ty and a disease for which there is
at this time no known remedy If
death was the certain consequence it
would rob this malady of much of
its terror. But the individual thus
afflicted may live for fifty years a
cripple; he can never hope to have
equal chances in the struggle for
may become public charge.
These important questions are
now confronting the people of our
state and causing parents to gaze
about with anxious eyes and worn
faces for even ray of hope. 1t is
one OF the many transmissable di-
seases for which as yet there is no
known specific. This being true.
the only thing left to do is to islo-
late the afflicted from the we'll and
thoroughly disenfect the premises
clothing and utensils which might in
any manner become the means Of
transmitting the disease to others.
For advice, counsel and protection
the people very naturally turn to
the state board of health Unfor-
| tunately, that board, because of ex-
listing laws, finds only six diseases
are subject to quarantine and dis
infection, namely, leprosy, Asiatic
cholera, bubonic plague, smallpox,
scarlet fever and diphtheria. So
ineffective is the law that the people
of Mason City have been compelled
to go down in their pockets and
furnish money with which to wage
war against this malady; and yet
in trying to protect themselves they
are indirectly protecting the entire
state. No one has legal right to
prevent the spread of this trouble.
We must rely upon the Willingness
and good judgment of the people
in whose families it exists to pre-
vent its spread.
Diseases that may be transmitted
| - SAAA PSiooi " Pei ooH VI lioIll lllC
lower animals to mankind are some
is exempt. The germs of disease
have no respect for title, law or
creed. The only thing they do re-
spect are those means and measures
which promptly and effectually de-
stroy their existence. The greatest
waste of resources in Iowa today
is the carelessness with which we
care for the life and limb of our
neighbor. While we pause and
quarrel over expenses and imaginary
| individual rights that are involved
in quarantine and disinfection, the
germs march triumphantly on with
their victorious army, leaving Grip
pies, blighted lives, death and de-
vastation as our legacy. There is
but one source from which we may
expect immediate and lasting help
Our failure lies in the hands of our
coming legislature. From it's member
ship alone may we look for assist
ance. The responsibility of the future
rests with them. The plea Of ignorance
on the subject can no longer be con-
sidered as an excuse for inadequate
protection to the lives of our people
The heresies of certain schools OF
practice, the financial welfare of
patent medicine concerns and in
dividual ambition of chronic office
seekers for once should be laid aside
and the health and physical welfare
OF the people of our state given the
consideration that it so sorcly needs
Let us hope therefore that our mex
legislature will give lis modern haa1tI
laws and system of executing them
that will be in keeping with the pro
gross of medical science and the need!
of the hour.
B. L. Eiker, M. D.