The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-11-28

l
5000 cases reported from 1906 TO 1909.
approximately 5000 have occurred in
the United States. practically all
within the three years. 19O7-l909.'
On the head OF preyontability, the
national health department has to
! say. with reference TO the duties and
responsibilities of pdDlic health au-
thoritics:
1T Is not, however. the seriousness
OF epidemic poliomyeUtIs linfantilc
paraIysis,j but its preventability,
which fastcns upon the health Off
Ger his responsibility in the matter;
| the seriousness OF the disease only in
creases the gravity NJ this responsi-
| bility. SO long as disease is known
10 be irremediablc thc health ofii-
| Ger may stand by an dcommiseTatc; II
| there Is reason 10 suspect that it is
preycntablc IL is his duty 10 iDYcsti-
| gate, if 1T is known 10 be prevent
! able, he must prevent
Tho report then discusses at length
the results of laboratory studies and
finds that II has been demonstrated
that the disease is transmssiblc from
human beings 10 monkeys and from
monkey to monkey. animals other
lbHll llG UlOuhfN nave utNll lpuub III
susceptible. except by few observers
who report successful inoculatons OF
rabbits
OF Minute Size.
'1t has been demonstrated that the
specific causatiye organism is of mi
mute size, being able Co pass through
Berke(eld nlter; that It is easily
killed by heat and by comparatively
ri 1,
resistant TO cold and TO drying In
bodies OF infected animals the virus
germ of the disease has been dem
onstrated not only in the spinal cord
and brain. but In the nasal mucous
membrane. the sallvary glands. mesen.
teric glands, and after subcutaneouS
incubation, al the site of inoculation
and in the lymph glands receiving
the drainage from that area
II appears that the virus is pres
ent In the blood only in the early
stages OF infection and then in small
amounts
In discussing the bearing OF condi-
lions and circumstances upon poliom-
yelitis. the matter OF dust Is given
no little attention The report says
The occurrence OF epidemic poll
omyeliUs in the hot. dry, dusty sea
son has given rise 10 the surmlse that
dust may be In some way factor In
the spread of the disease. This sur
mise has been strengthened by the
grouping of cases along dusty thor
oughfares. observed In several local.
ties and by the cessation of several
epidemics shortly after the dust had
been abated by rainfall or sprinklinG
OF streets
The acceptance is. however In the
light OF present knowledge of the dis
case that epidemic polomyelitiS is
most probably transmlssible by direct
contact
Helpful Suggetions.
The national bureau makes these
suggestions which might be helpful
in guiding health officials and physi-
clans generally
Isolation of the patient, with
isolation of the -ontncts so far
as practicable - certni0ly to the
extent of excluding members OF the
patients family from school for at
least two weeks. Exclusion OF in
sects and animals from the room
"DiSinfecticn of the seCrctIons OF
the nose and mouth and of the stools
and urine. Dslnfection Of all articles
which might have been contaminated
by the patient.
"FNmigatIon of premises after re
coyery'
In stating its expectations the scr
vice saws several circumstances must |
be considered, which are grouped |
thus
The disease is already disscmn-
atcd over a wide area. Experience !
with other widespread contagious dis
eases. such rs scarlet fever. for the |
control Of which we have 10 depend
solely on isolation and disinfection.
has demonstrated that we can hardly |
expect 10 eradicate such a disease !
by present methods. but that much |
may be done in the way OF limiting |
its spread.
epidemic poliomyelitis presents
unusual difficulties In the recognition
of even typical cases In their early
stage and OF abortWc cases In all
stages
1T will he difficult 20 estimate the
effect OF preventive measures, since
the disease often falls to spread In
where conditions seem
most favorable for an epidemic.