Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-08-10
ever, can do much toward their own pro-

ever, can do much toward their own pro-
lection
Poliomyelitis is probably spread direct
~ or indirectly, through the medium of
infective secretions. Account must there
fore be taken by communities of every
means by which such secretions are dis
seminated Promiscuous eXpectoration
should he controlled. The common drink
ing cup affords a method for the inter-
change OF material of this nature and
should therefore be abolished. Rigid
cleanliness of glasses and utensils Mt soda
fountains. In saloons and other public
places should he enforced Flies, reaches
and other vermin, by coming In contact
with infective secretons, may possibly
convey them to our food and thus direct
lly bring about the development of dis
ease. Therefore eliminate insects. Street
and house dust bear a definite relation to
the spread of many infections and 1t Is
not unreasonable to presume that they
may be n factor In the dissemination OF In
fantie paralysis. Maintain strict clean
Illness Of streets, yards and alleys In or
der to prevent the breeding of insects and
other varmin.
See that all garbage and waste are prop
erly cared for and collected at regular and
frequent Intervals Guard all food sup
plies, especially milk and other perish
able products. Digestive troubles of chill
dren arising from the indigestion OF food
OF questionable quality may lower resist
ance. Assemblies Of children In infected
localities are to he discouraged. If not
actually forbidden While the above
measures are in n sense general. and mp
nlicable to many epidemic diseases. their
Importance should not be overlooked.
Individual preventive measures may be
this summarized:
Summon physician at once and inme-
diately notify the health officer OF the
presence of the disease. If the disease is
should be sought whenever a child is sick.
no matter how light the illness; many
cases of infantile paralysis begin with q
slight indisposition. Should the Illness
prove to be infantie paralysis isolate the
patient, place competent person in
charge, and reduce all communication
with the sick room to a minimum. Hos
pital care is preferable, not only for the
child, but in order to better safeguard
against the spread of the disease. The
sick room should be well ventilated and
screened Nasal and mouth secretions
should be received in cloths. placed in a
paper bag, and burned The clothing OF
the child, the bed linen, and the excre-
tons should be dsnfected in the same
| manner as for typhoid fever. that is by
boiling, the long continued application of
10 per cent. carbolic, or other we'll recog-
nized diSnfectant. The same is true for
dishes and drinking vessels. Nurses
should exercise the same precautions ae
| regards cleanliness of hands in caring for
infantile paralysis patients as for those
afflicted with other infectious diseases
A child may convey the disease to others
even after lapse Of several weeks. For
this reason quarantine should be main
tanned for a considerable period. usually
| from six to eight weeks. and tho above
precautions should be adhered to dur1np
| this time. D1sinfection Of the room fol.
lowing recovery Is advisable.