The Washington herald., 1910-08-24
OSLER IN CITY.



making a total in the District OF Column
bia OF more than 400 per annum. it should
be obvious how disproportionate is the
alarm which is now excited about infan-
tile paralysis
Decision Is Secret.
Before this notice was given out the
physicians excluded representatives of the
press and discussed the disease in secret
session.
DR.. Woodward and DR.. George N.
Acker. the specialist on infants diseases,
differed. DR.. Woodward declared infantie
paralysis is contagious beyond the
shadow OF a doubt DR.. Acker said It is
not contagious. and explained his stand
at length.
That both have their supporters was
demonstrated by the round Of applause
which followed both speeches During
the remainder Of the evening lines were
sharply drawn between those who think
the disease is epidemic and believe in
isolation OF patients and those who be-
lieve it Is not catching.
Woodward FavOrs Isolation.
we are cropping more or less In the
dark declared Health Officer Wood
ward. The health department is doing
everything 1t can with its facilities 70
stop the disease. but each or you must
cooperate. and II you do. sooner or later
We shall solve the problem.
There is only too little that is known
about this disease. I believe that we
should work toward complete isolation OF
patients. and that we should also agree
that the disease should be reported TO the
health Office"
Or. Acker said there IS no evidence 20
show that there Is an epidemic, and that
isolation, and the publicity which must
follow. create unnecessary alarm among
mothers
When pr. Magruder offered his reso-
luton he said II was evident there IS
not much probability Of doctors agreeing
in this case. He suggested that the best
way to get results is to make the Ma
rine Hospital Service referee. BY sub
hitting all evidence and all opinions TO
the government authorities. he said. they
viii be able to sift II and reach a correct
solution, His resolution was that Presi-
dent Taft be requested TO order a full
investigation.
Protests Are General.
Almost Immediately protests came from
every part of the room. But there were
many that believed Dr. Magruder had
struck the,right plan. so the debate be-
came general and rather heated. Finally
Or. Magruder arose and withdrew his
resolution. saying that II the association
could not agree upon II he did not want
il before the house
DIR. Osler did not attend the meeting
He spent a busy morning in Baltimore.
mentioning that he was bound FOR Wash
ington, where there was 20 be an inquiry
into infantile paralysis. II is believed he
spent most Of the day at one OF the
hospitals. and is housed with friends
DR. Osler was sor many years connected
with the stan OF Johns Hopkins Univer-
sity He was called TO the highest post
possible for a doctor, regius professor at
Oxford, about five years ago. II is not
known when he will return 10 England
He is a close friend OF President Taft.
That he did not come 10 Washington 10
see the President is obvious from the
fact that the President is at Beverly. 1t
is said he came here solely 10 study
infantile paralysis. and will make every
effort TO get away without his identity
being disclosed. being bitterly averse TO
publicity since his widespread pubHca-
ton over the chloroform theory.