Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-27
Tiny Bacillus the Cause
of Infanti|e PARALYSIS

A sharp disagreement on the causes Of
infantile paralysis; the declaration that
feeble-minded children should be coloniZed
and treated degenerates or incapabies
until their mentality has been developed
as far as possible, and that even then
they must not be permitted to intermarry;
statements that if the war against tu-
berculosis were waged as constantly and
as scientifically as that against hook
worm the white plague might be ban
ished within the lifetime Of persons now
OF middle age; strong criticism of the
method Of keeping criminal statistics and
suggestions by which these statistics may
be made more valuable; the declaration
that typhoid fever can speedily be
stamped out, not only in the armies of
the world, but in communities and mu-
inequalities as well, by means Of anti
typhoid vaccination: the statement that
race suicide is the most prolific cause or
divorce throughout the civilized world,
and a prophecy to the effect that the
moral education and regeneration of hu-
manltiy is working a solution of the
problem of drunkenness and will speedily
work cure for this evil-these were
among the statements made at the
various section sessions OF the congress
yesterday afternoon.
AT the continued joint session Of Sec
between Prof. Albert Peterson of Stock
holm, Sweden, and DR.. Rosenau Of Har-
ward Medical School on the manner in
which infantle paralysis is contracted.
The Swedish investigator. who yesterday
announced the discovery of the specific
bacillus that causes the disease, advanced
the claim that the disease is transmit
ted through the bites of blood-sucklng
parasitic insects, while DR.. Rosenau CIV
ing the results of long continued expert
faf rn6 infa l1,s3o
comes from the bite of stable flies, the
insects transmitting the bacillus while
biting their victims.
Principal interest in the discussion GEN.
tered in the announcement of Prof. Pet
tersson that he has succeeded in isolat-
ing and fixing the special bacillus respon-
sible for the disease, the bacillus being
so extremely minute that it has hitherto
escaped the meshes of the finest bacterial
filters devised. With the discovery of
the germ that causes the disease, 1t was
stated, q certain remedy and cure for 1t
will speedily be found.
Solution of Alcohol Problem.
Cooperation Of religion and science.
declared Robert A. Woods of the South
End Settlement. Boston. will work out
solution of the problem of inebriety
Much is to be expected" said Mr..
Woods. from specific direction of the
force of religion against alcoholism, This,
accompanied by an adoption by the
churches of the modern scientific point
of View regarding the disease, may be
expected to result in new system of
ethics and a new casuistfy, to conform
to present day knowledge and experience
This would clear religion Of much Of the
unrestrained and misguided action which
has characterized it in its relation to this
problem and make its efforts In the end
vastly more effective
The increasing organization of social
resources for the protection and enhance
ment of the public health will without
doubt, make the coming generation dis
tinctly less vulnerable to the dangers of
alcoholism. thoroughgoing comnrtl-
nifty system of prenatal care and instruc-
ton of mothers in the care Of infants.
and the provision of a proper modified
milk supply. with instructive district
nursing, medical inspection and school
nursing in the public schools, the estab-
lishment OF public baths, gymnasiums
and Fairgrounds, and the organization
Of the agencies under alert and pro-
gressve administration; the growing
conviction. which is becoming establish
ed in system, that every city child ought
to have a substantial vacation in the
country each year-aIl these things must
solidify the power of resistance. moral
as well as physical. of the city dweller"