Arizona republican., 1912-08-11
Board of Health Decides on Isolation of Families Returning From
 the Coast
ASKS COOPERATION
 OF THE PEOPLE
It Is Believed That in No Other Way Can Introduc tion of Infantile Par
 alysis Be Prevented

l Illt pdIdlS SIS III EHOenlX, but the prev alence of it in California and the great volume of travel between Phoenix and California makes it's introduction here so possible an event that the people of this city cannot be too careful in guarding against it. To that end the following is communicated by Dr. Wm
 H. Sargent. the city health officer, and is deserving of careful perusal: We wish to call the attention of the people of Phoenix to the disease so prevalent on the coast at the present time-Acute Poliomyelitis. or Infan- tile Paralysis. Many have heard of the disease and know that it is an epi- demic in parts of southern California but that is about all. Acute poliomyelitis is contagious and communicable disease attacking children from one to five years of age most frequently, but other ages are not immune As to it's degree of con righteousness there is some difference of opinion. however that it is trans missibe is conceded by all. Several large epidemics have occurred in this country and there seems to be a ten
 dency to an increase in them.
 As to how the disease is transmit
 ted and because of what little is
 known. but every possible source of
 infection should be guarded against.
 The infection makes it's exit from the
 body through the secretions of the nose
 and throat and the excretiOns of the
 kidneys and bowels. Contact with
 these, or with patient, contact with
 clothing bedding utensils. etc, used
 about the patient and possibly contact
 with another person who has been
 around one with the disease, may all
 be means of transmission. That flies
 fleas and dust may spread the disease
 is quite possible It is also possible
 that one may harbor the infection al
 though apparently well, and give it to
 others
 'Infantile paralysis may occur in
 many different forms and in every
 degree of severity. It may be so mild as to be impossible of recognition. The usual type is that characterized by sudden onset, fever. a convulsion may be the first indication of oncoming sickness, vomiting, headache, irrita bility restlessness, and sleeplessness. 1 The latter four symptoms occur early |
 
 quite constant symptoms occurring in l the lower extremities most frequently. | next in the spine and trunk and some 1 times in the upper eXtremities and the l neck. Sore throat may also be present. There are many degrees of severity of the above symptoms some being very severe and in others very mild. They | are followed in twelve hours to three or four days by paralysis either gen eral or localized. The paralysis occurs in a great per cent of the cases in the lower limbs but may affect any part of the body and in any combination for instance in one arm and one leg, CT only a few muscles may be affect ed in each or the face may be affect e,l in fact any muscle of the body. The paralysis is usually of the flaccid or limp type It is followed by vast ing of affected parts and growth is greatly impaired. even the bones fail { ing to grow. The paralysis Is perma- . nent in a majority of cases. In one , epidemic reported more than 75 per cent of the cases that recovered were more or less paraIyzed. This is the most dreaded part of the disease as leath would be more welcome than permanent paralysis and invalidism.
 Another important mode of onset is with symptoms of meningitis, usually moderately severe. They consist Of ,bove mentioned symptoms with re raction of the head, extreme irrita- ,iIitv. and sever headaches, or there nav be a dullness and stupor. The mind usually is clear
 "One of the most important things n he remembered is that all the above vmptoms may be present and still |, he disease not terminate in paralysis. ' These are called aboTtive cases. Such p
 termination is most dangerous for i' he public. although very fortunate for he patient indeed. as it is very apt p ,ot to be recognized thereby becom s ng an unknown source of the disease. of q child should become III sud- o Ienlv with the symptoms mentioned is bove. especially if just returned from - he coast. it should at once be put to o ed and q physician called and prompt nd complete isolation instituted and he board of health notified. s, ",rhe above outline of symptoms is . .iven only for one reason and that is f, Q secure the cooperation of the peo VI ,Ie of the city. Without cooperation ,o ve could do nothing to prevent She z, possible invasion of this valley with o. he dreaded disease. The cooperation vi s particularly asked of those who lave returned from the coast f,
 'It has been decided best to isolate o hose families returning with children st md keep them under observation un- n il all danger has passed Adults are lsked to report to the board of health " it once any sickness in the family This will be compulsory but even then <. will not he thorough unless complete O. operation is secured. VI
 "An effort to conceal case might 'esult seriously to many others as well