Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-03-17
Infantile Paralysis Germ.
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
DIR. Simon Flexner. of the Rockefeller
Institute, declared yesterday that it has
now been thoroughly established that in
fantile paralysis, the disease which has
brought so much harm among children in
the last few years, is germ disease. The
germ, it is true, is too small to be detected
by any microscope, but its presence and
nature have been established in other ways
through animal experimentation.
"lnfantile paralysis" said DR.. Flexner
rs germ disease that attacks the spinal
marrow and brain, and by merely injuring
or by totally destroying the delicate tissues
causes either temporary or permanent
paralysis of the muscles
THE germ Of the disease has been known
for little more than year. 1t is so ex-
cessively minute that the most powerful
microscope tails to reveal it, and yet there
are accurate methods through the employ
ment of which the nature and presence of
the germ have been determined with GER
tainty.
Where does the germ reside ?" the Doc
tor was asked. 1T is not known to reside
anywhere in nature, he replied, except in
connection with human beings. who either
have had or have been in contact with
some one who has had infantile paralysis.
or in relation with some object in close
association with patients suffering from
the disease"
How is the disease spread ?" was the
next question.
BY persons sick with the disease or by
some one who has been in contact with a
patient suffering with the disease. The
evidence at present available points to the
fact that the germ of the disease can be
carried by healthy persons who have come
in contact with the sick and themselves
will not contract infantile paralysis. but
who may transfer the germ to other healthy
persons who will develop the disease"
DIR. Flexner went on to explain that the
germ of infantile paralysis enters the brain
and spinal cord chiefly, If not exclusively
by way of nasal passages In the course
of the disease, he said, the germ is also
thrown off from the brain through the nose
and mouth.
Hence protection can be best secured by
disinfecting or destroying the secretions of
the nose and mouth of those i'll of the
disease, and by preventing the contamina-
ton of persons or objects with these secre-
tons. Especial pains should be taken to
maintain in state of cleanliness the
hands, nose, and mouth of all children ex-
posed to the disease either directly or in
directly.
"Infantile paralysis is chiefly disease
of children. but II sometimes attacks
adults" DR.. Flexner said. "Since the germ
causing ii is carried by those who have
been ILL., as well as by persons who have
been In immediate contact with the pa
tents, 1t is not surprising to find that the
beginnings Of many epidemics have been
traced to schools where many children are
assembled; but any considerable gathering
Of persons which includes many children
who are brought together during the prev
alence Of the disease may be the means
Of spreading 1t widely.
Thus 1t has been observed that country
fairs. Fourth of July celebrations, and like
events have all proved to be such centres
Of distribution of the Infection
The period of greatest prevalence of the
disease. DR.. Flexner explained, is in the
summer. AS an epidemic II is a summer
disease, that is, almost all cases arise in
the summer months, and by far the great
est number in July, August and September.
The present epidemic first appeared
around Boston and New York about three
years ago, and has gradually. continuously
and insidiously extended over North Amer
lea from ocean to ocean and from Canada
to Cuba. Prior to this period the epidem-
les were limited to Norway and Sweden,
where they have been prevailing regularly
for more than quarter of century"
Then DR.. Flexner went on to describe
the available means of combating the dis
ease. AT the present time" he said,
there is no specific remedy or cure for in
fantile paralysis. The disease once estab-
lished cannot. therefore, be controlled by
the application of any remedy known to
medical science. Luckily, the disease is
not highly fatal one, although it is one of
the saddest Of diseases because of the
large amount Of Gripping il causes. On
the other hand. the outlook has been greatly
frightened by reason of the recent knowl-
edge which has been acquired concerning
the nature of the cause of the disease and
the mode of its transmission.