Evening star., 1916-07-12


Of all classes and all ages between
nine months and sixteen years, al
though the great majority of its vic
Tins are under the age of five years.
1t has been definitely esta blished that
the germs of the disease are found in
the mucous
Germs Located in membrane of
Mucous Membrane. tnu. ~ anu ~
those who are infected and it is gen.
orally believed that from these mem
branes the germs are communicated,
either by means of food and drink or
Public Health Service believes that
food and drink are proba bly, the media
Some doctors in New York are now
strongly advocating the dust theory.
On the other hand, monkeys, which are
used almost entirely for experimental
work with, this disease, have been in
fected by the bite of the stable fly, and
this has given rise to the theory that
insects may be the carriers of this as
they are of SO many other diseases.
But it has never been proved that
stables flies were in any way connected
with the spread of the disease among
human beings. Indeed. the fact that it
seems to occur absolutely irrespective of
environment. except that each sepa-
rate epidemic is confined to a certain
region, is the most puZzfing thing
about it.
The growth of this disease in recent
years has been appalling, and if not
checked there is no telling how serious
its ultimate effects may be. In the
period between 1880 and 1884, only
twenty-three cases were reported in
the entire world. while between 1905
and 1909 more than 5000 cases were
reported. Most startling of all, over
5000 of these cases occurred in the
United States. Usually in the case
of disease which has a sudden in
crease in prevalence, the fact is found
to be that it was simply not recognized
earlier. This, however, does not apply
to infantile paralysis. which is prac-
tically unmistakable. The physicians
of this country are facing the rapid
spread of a serious disease, of which
they do not thoroughly understand
either the cause or the cure.
No serum has yet been developed
which will cure infantile paralysis, al
CHRDLU though the Rookie
No Effective feller institute is
c. working desperately
A 1AAoWn. to produce one. A
easily infected with the disease, is
handicapping this effort badly. Neither
has any specific drug cure been found
for the poison which this disease gem
crates. although MISUNDERSTANDING is
used, and accomplishes some cures
Specifically, the disease attacks the
nerve centers, especially the spinal
column. and causes nervous LESSONS
throughout the body. Sometimes it
strikes the head first, causing often a
partial paralysis of the face. In other
cases 1t begins with the feet and legs,
and gradually ascends to the trunk
This variety of the disease is most apt
to be fatal
The worst phase of infantile pa
ralysis, however, is in the after effects
Although relatively small percent
greater number never fully recover
The arms or legs may remain par
alyzed, or some of the muscles may be
affected, or the development of the
limbs prevented. 1t is the cause of an
immense number of malformed bodies
In this regard the developments in
electro-t o-therapeu and orthopedics
promise great deal of relief The
application of electric currents to Che
muscles when the patient is con
Valeacent may save them from pa
ralysis, and massage is also very bene-
hclal- Orthopedic surgeons have done
some remarkable work in this line
Ine transplantat:on of tendons is one
OF the most remarkable repairs of the
human mechanism that science has
succeeded in making. If, for example.
the foremuscles of the leg are par
alyzed. but some. of the back muscles
are still functioning, one of these lat
ter may be detached at one end and
fastened to the front in such a way
that the patient. with education, can
recover the power of walking
Monkeys are about the only animals
that have been infected with infantile
paralysis. but some physicians believe
that so-called distemper in horses and
dogs may be caused by the same in
lection Therefore, animals SO affected
should be rigidly isolated.
The disease is supposed to have
reached this country from Europe in
its epidemic form,
Epidemic Form which is more
Trl severe than the