The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-25
INFANTILE PARALY SIS.
State Board of Health Asks People to
Exercise Care.

The state board of health at a spe-
cial meeting have issued the following
statement regarding the status of the
infantile paralysis epidemic in the
state:
1.-THE state board of health believes
that in the interest of public health
and safety the following statement
should be made: There has been re-
ported to the state department OF
health to date twenty-nine cases of
anterior poliomyelitis Commonly
called infantile paralysis), with nine
deaths. No doubt there are an un=
known number of other cases not re-
ported or unrecognized because OF
their mildness. Last year there were
approximately 100 cases in the state,
although at this time there were not
as many cases reported as we have
now this would seem to indicate that
need of special vigilance and care or
both physicians and parents, to the end
that further progress of the disease
NAV be stayed; therefore. we urgently
request that physicians promptly re-
port all cases to the local board of
health as soon as discovered, as re-
uuired by law, so that effective lsola-
ton be established. and the public
health be safe-guarded. In letter
lust received from DIR. Simon Flick
ner. of the Rockefeller Institute for
Medical Research. under date of July
10. he expresses the belief that rigid
quarantine measures viii do much To-
ward the control of the disease IN
less the board has the active co-opera-
ton of the physicians, these means OF
control will be ineffective; this is no
time for clubbing for academic
discussions, but rather of hearty coop
Grafton against common enemy.
ITO the people the following sue-
pestions are offered:
"First-to watch the diet, giving only
reasonable quantities of wholesome,
nutritious food, especially aVoldlhg any
thing likely to upset the stomach poor
milk. unripe fruit or vegetables II eheS
have been exposed to dust
ssSecond-To watch exercise, prevent
ing any excessive effort or fatigue,
even at play particularly in the sun
and in hot weather.
ssThird-To watch the bowels, avoid
ing constipating foods, or sluggishness
of the bowels from any cause. Secure
nv treatment, If necessary, free daily
excavations.
"Fourth-To watch the children's
nlaymates and to avoid even distant
association with other children SICK
with this disease or with anything re-
sembling it: or with members, 1nc1uo-
ing adults. of families in which the dis
ease exists.
"Fifth-To watch the sick children
themselves. Confine them to their own
nremises: destroy or disinfect the dis
charges of the throat. nose, BLADDER
and bowels: prevent their association
with anyone but an attendant who does
nothing but care for them; in the case
of death. allow a private funeral only.
.'Sixth-In the event of any child
child showing symptoms which are us
nal to the beginning of an attack OF
poliomyelitis (fever, headache, PAIN
constipation, Von1iting) remember that,
while these symptoms may mean
nothing but a passing disturbance, they
may be the first stages of poliomyellt1s;
cali a physician at once, and, mean
time, keep the child quiet If the child
seems to recover almost wholly in two
to four days, do rot remit watchfulness'
| for in poliomyelitis the initial symp-
| toms, after lasting two or four days.
| often disappear for a day or two, to
be followed then by return of the
symptoms and paralysis.
"Seventh-We are still far from
knowing all that we should of poliomy-
elitis, although we have learned a great
deal since last year. The study of the
/ internal organs of patients who have
died of the disease is essential to fur
| Their progress. 1t should be regarded
as the duty of all good citizens to al
| low such studies to be made in case of
death. All that we know in this state
| of the pathology of the disease is due
to the broad sympathy OF sorrowing
/ Parents who allow scientific examina-
| ton of their children. dead of the dis
ease. Only two such noble examples
were found last year. and to those par
| ents the rest of the community owe Il
! great debt of gratitude That other