Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-20
tions upon which further advance in
knowledge Of infantile paralysis depends.
Carried by Well Persons.

Carried by Well Persons.
1.-The germ or infectious agent is not
known to reside anywhere in nature ex-
| cept in connection with human beings
who either have had or have been in con-
tact with some one who has had infantile
! paralysis. or in relation to some object
in close association with patients suffer-
| ing from the disease. 1t Is established
that the infection is spread by persons
| sick with the disease or by some per-
| son who has been in contact with a pa
ttent suffering from the disease. Whether
still other means exist for its transmits
sion we do not know. The evidence at
present available points to the fact that
the germ of the disease can be carried
by healthy persons who have come into
contact with the sick. who themselves
| will not contract infantile paralysis but
who will transfer 1t to other healthy per
sons who will develop the disease. The
| infantile paralysis, afording the basis for
| this evidence. has been accurately deter
/ mined In connection with epidemics
abroad and in this country.
THE infectious agent Of infantile pa
ralysis has been proven to pass from the
central nervous system in inoculated
monkeys into the nasal passages, and in
oculation Of the germ into the nasal mu-
COCA has been followed by the appear
ance Of paralysis in these animals.
Germ Enters Through the Nose.
Hence, it is probable that in human
beings the portal of entry of the germ is
the nasal mucosa, although still other
avenues of infection may exist The man
ner in which the pathological changes are
produced in the nervous system supports
the view of the place of entry of the in
fictitious agent being the nose: for the
first action - exerted upon the men,
49,
cord, and 1t is the. consequent harm to
the blood vessels extending from the
membranes into the substance of the
nervous tissue that the nerve cells come
to be starved and otherwise injured, with
the resulting paralysis.
THE excreti0n Of the virus by way Of
the nasal passages indicates what meas
nres are to be adopted to prevent its dis
semination. Persons suffering from
poliomy elitis should be strictly isolated
and the secretions from the nose and
mouth should be carefully disinfected or
destroyed: and great care should be ex-
ercised to prevent the contamination of
persons or objects with the secretions.
The length of time during which patients
suffering from infantile paralysis are ca
pable Of transmitting the infection to
others has not been accurately deter
mined: but it Is probable that the dan
ger Is greatest during and soon after the
febrile period, and that 1t grows progress
sively less afterward. In monkeys the
virus has been found to be present in the
nasal passages for several weeks. and in
one instance even for several months after
the acute symptoms had disappeared; and
1t is probable that the same will be
found to be true Of human cases. This
merely means that occasionally a monkey
becomes carrier so-called Of the virus
OF pOliomyeltis, as rare human beings
are now known to become carriers of the
germs of typhoid fever, cholera and some
other diseases. This discovery should
3nrrphpnGiOn
dangers OF infection. but it should lead
to the adoption of more stringent and
thorough measures looking to the disin-
lection Of the secretions of the nose and
mouth OF the affected and the mainte
nance of q state of cleanliness Of these
parts.
More Casts in Summer.
Since the infectious agent is carried by
those having been ILL., as well as by
healthy persons who have come into i'm
| mediate contact with such patients. it Is
not surprising to find that the beginning
| Of many epidemics has been traced to
schools, where many children are assem-
| bled; but any considerable gathering Of
persons which includes many children.
| who are brought together during the
prevalence of the disease. may be the
means Of spreading 1t widely. Examples
| of this mode Of dissemination have been
observed in connection with country fairs,
Fourth of July celebrations and like
| events. Epidemics of infantiie paralysis
prevail chiefly, If not wholly, during the
warm summer months. the great number
| Of cases occurring In July. August and
September. In this country, fortunately.
1 the schools are closed during this period,
and the other centers of distribution men
| toned can be avoided by the. careful.
| The disease does not entirely disappear
/ at other seasons, but small number OF
| cases arise in the spring and fall months
| and even in the winter months. When
| ever a case arises. whether In summer.
| autumn or winter, il should be isolated
promptly, so as to avoid the infection OF
| others.
Control by Prevention.
| THE control Of infantile paralysis to-
! day must be by prevention, since no
! specific remedy or cure for it is known.
This control can be carried out with a
considerable degree of accuracy and
! confidence now that We are informed of
| the nature of the cause of the disease
| and its mode of transmission This
| knowledge should permit OF the appica-
ton of intelligent measures or prevention.
/ which, II effectively employed. will serve
| to diminish the number of persons at
| tackled The most scientific. as we'll as
! the most humane. way to deal with any
| disease is to prevent rather than to at
| tempt to cure 1t. Hence. it is highly en-
courazing and commendable that so many
| states are making determined EFFORT to
| deal with epidemic poliomyelitis through
prevention by requiring notification and
! quarantining Of the disease
Draper Medal for DR.. Abbot.
DR.. C. G. Abbot, the director OF the
Smithsonian astro-physicai observatory,