The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-05
DOC AND CHILD
BOTH STRICKEN
Doctors Puzzled by Unusual
Case of lnfantile Par
alysis
COLLIE PUPPY FIRST
ATTACKED BY DISEASE
Infant Daughter of American Lo-
connective Machinist Loses Use
of Left Arm and
Leg.


paralysis from a dog similarly affect
ed?
This question is being given serious
consideration by physicians who have
viewed case of this strange disease
in the home OF MIR. Howard Smith,
machtnist. residing at 327 North Eigil-
teenth street.
Ten days ago. Mr.. Smiths infant
child, lrma, fourteen months old, was
stricken In the left arm and lett leg
at F'rederick's Hall in Louisa county
while It's mother Was visiting her
grandfather, Mr.. James Phillips. Of
that place.
Several days previously, a Sconxh
collie puppy. belonging to the family,
was suddenly paralyzed In all four
legs while romping about the house
with several OF the other Smith chill
dren at their home In Richmond.
Little lrfna and her mother had left
for F'rederick's Hall two days before
the puppy was stricken and there Ii
every indication that the germs OF in
lection gained foothold in her
spinal column as result of contact
with the animal.
Another Puppy Stricken.
That the disease originated from
the puppy Is strengthened by the fact
that another puppy OF the same litter.
belonging to Mr.. Walter Bernard. Of
Fulton, has also recently developed
the disease. No sign OF the disease.
however, has appeared in the mother
of the puppies as yet.
The Smith child was resting COM
fortably in hammock In the front
yard Of its parents home Friday
morning when the reporter for The
Virginian called to see it, The child
apparently has no feeling in its LETT
arm but its afflicted leg retains =
slight degree OF feeling. This war
evident when 1t was tickied under III
left foot. In general health, the child
gave every appearance 81 being
healthy and strong. II is under the
special care or DIR. J. r. Blair. who
says he will administer electrical and
massage treatment as soon as the
acute stage Of the disease passes OH.
lie thinks this will occur in the course
of the next month.
Recains Use Of Forslsas.
In the back yard of the premisea.
the reporter found the collie puppy.
Since being stricken. the animal has
partially recovered the use OF its fore
legs but It's hind legs are still USE
less. The puppy il about three months
old. 1t Is lively and sprightly and
like the child appears to be In good
physical condition. When called by it,
master. the puppy responded quickly.
dragging Itself from under the hack
porch by means of IT'S forelegs.
Mr. Smith rubs the puppy daily with
liniment and he believes this treatment
is responsible for the fact that the AMI
NAL has partially recovered the use Of
its legs.
The other children of the household
have shown no symptoms OF the dis
ease and 1t is believed that they win
escape It.
Mr.. Smith is employed at the Amerf-
can Locomotive plant. where he works
al night. Friday morning. he waa
playing the role of nurse during the
temporary absence of his vile from
home.
Case Will Be Probsd.
The attention OF City Health OfFiceR
Levy will be called to the case and e
Is believed that a thorough investi-
CATION VIII throw considerable light on
the strange disease which 10 now re-
ceiving the attention of most learned
scientists in the country.
Physicians are all agreed that the
disease Is Infectious but practically no
advance has been made In the direc-
ton OF ascertaining the specific gesm
that causes 1t.
Eight Cases Known.
According TO leading physician of
Richmond Friday. only eight cases of
infantfle paralysis or anterior police
myelitis. as 1t is known scientifically.
are definitely known to exist In the
city at the present time The phy-s
stefan expressed the opinion, however,,
that other cases Of tn edisease exist
here, but have not been positively df-
agnosed as infantile paralysis. He
thought this was due In measure ~
the fact that a number OF Richmond
doctors are unfamiliar with the dtn-S
ease and consequently experience DIFF
ficulty in recognizing It.
Speaking of the likelihood OF = do9I
contracting the disease. he said II WaA
by experimentation made by DIR. 81
stitute for Medical Research. Mosa-S
keys, he said. were even more lfahl1s
to infection than dogs.
Wants to See Puppy.
This physician had not seen the
cuiife puppy affifcted with the diseaS1.
but he expressed desire TO "a M
DIR. Blair, when asked for an 0pfn-s
ion in regard to the puppy. said 10
preferred not to express himself ans
the case until he had made d thor
ough examination OF the animal. Ho|
was Inclined to doubt however. that
the child contracted the disease frunn
the animal. ii
Escaped Prisoner Captured.