The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-08-08
Suggestions Are Made To
Avoid Dread Disease
While Rules Are Laid Down
For Its Complete Control

DR.. H. w. Blair, health officer Of the
city of Mt. Vernon, has received a
pamphlet from the state board of
health, Columbus, containing various
things of interest in connection with
the cause, treatment, etc., Of infantile
paralysis.
One case of the dread disease has, it
is thought, developed in Mt. Vernon,
SO the information in the pamphlet,
which is appended below, should
prove particularly interesting to Mt.
Vernon people:
Infantile paralysis is a disease
which has become common only with
in the last few years. In 1907 is ap-
peared as an epidemic in New York
City, and from there spread all over
the country. Since 1910, the disease
has caused from fifty to one hundred
and fifty deaths in our state every
year. Cases are found among all
classes of children, the very rich as
we'll as the very poor. 1t also occurs
in rural districts as we'll as in cities.
The worst feature of infantile paraly-
sis is that it leaves more or less per-
manently crippled majority of those
who escape death. For these reasons
it is important to know how to pre-
vent and avoid it.
The Cause
Infantile paralysis is caused by a
very small germ. This germ is found
in the bodies of those who have the
disease, in the bodies of others who
have mild illness, and in small pro-
portion of healthy persons. These
germs are given off in the discharges
of the mouth and nose, and sometimes
in the discharges of the bowels and
bladder. Dogs which suffer from dis
temper may carry the germs and
transmit them to children. Forms of
paralysis which occur in horses and
some other domestic animals may be
related to infantile paralysis. Flies
may carry the germs of the disease
from one person to another.
How The Disease is Spread
The discharges of the nose and
nose and throat are the most import
ant means of spreading the disease.
The germs are found in the noses and
throats of cases before the paralysis
comes on. These germs also remain
ha c hnVa
recovered from their acute symptoms.
Children at play come in such close
contact that the discharges Of the
mouth and nose are exchanged. For
instance, a fine spray is given off in
talking, tops are placed in the mouth,
the same drinking cup or towel is
used, or sneezing and coughing fill
the air with the germs. Mild cases
which do not require physician, and
where diagnosis is not made, are
especially dangerous. A number OF
children and adults who come in con-
tact with cases do not take the dis
ease but become carriers. These car
riers cannot be recognized, and the
way to avoid them is to avoid crowds,
and all persons who have come in con-
tact with cases.
Early Symptoms
The disease may begin like any 9th
er infection. A previously healthy
child becomes feverish, and quiet. The
patient may complain of headache.
Such children are frequently irritable
and don't want to be handled. There
may be stiffness of the back and neck
. and weakness of the limbs. In two,
three or four days you may notice
that one or more limbs are paralyzed.
If you pinch the arm or leg, the child
tries to pull it away but cannot. Usu-
ally the paralysis is more severe dur
ing the illness than afterwards. In
other words, suppose all four limbs
are paralyzed during the illness, it is