The Topeka state journal., 1916-07-25
PARALYSIS PREVENTION.

To control the present epidemic OF
infantile paralysis, according to a
statement issued by the United States
Pubic Health Service, the chain OF
infection between persons harborine
germs of the disease and the well
members of the community should be
broken.
This dread ailment of childhood is
probably caused by very minute or
ganism found in the nasal, mouth and
bowel discharges of those who have
the disease or who are carriers of the
germ without themselves suffering
from the malady All of the steps in
the spread of the infection are not
vented from passing from the infected
to the we'll person, the disease will
cease.
Infantile paralysis is not. disease
of recent origin. this statement points
out. Sporadic or scattered cases of II
have occurred throughout the coun-
try for many years, but it is only dur
ing the last decade that the infection
has assumed epidemic proportions in
the United States.
| 1t is probably spread directly or in
directly, through the medium of in
fective secretions.
Account must therefore be taken by
communities of every means by
which such secretions are dissemin-
ated.
Promiscuous expectoration should
be controlled The common drinking
CUP affords a method for the inter-
change cf material of this nature and
should therefore be abolished. Rigid
cleanliness of glasses and utensils at
soda fountains, in saloons and other
public places should be enforced.
Flies, reaches and other vermin, by
coming in contact with infective secre-
tions, may possibly convey them to
cur food and thus directly bring about
the development of disease. There
fore eliminate insects. Street and
he use dust bear definite relation to
the spread of many infections and 1t is
not unreasonable to presume that they
| may be a factor in The dissemination
of infantile paralysis. Maintain strict
cleanliness of streets, yards and alleys
in order to prevent the breeding of in
sects and other vermin. See that all
garbage and waste are properly cared
for and collected at regular and fire.
ouent intervals. Guard all food sup
plies, especially milk and other per-
ishable products. Digestive troubles
oc children arising from the ingestion
of food of questionable quality may
lower resistance. Assemblies of chill
dren in infected localities are to be
discouraged, if not actually forbidden
While the above measures are in 6
sense general, and applicable to many
epidemic diseases, their importance
should not be overlooked.
Individual preventive measures may
be thus summarized:
Summon a physician at once ana
Immediately notify the health office
of the presence of the disease. If tn,
disease is present in the community
medical aid should be sought when
ever a child is sick, no matter how
light the illness; many cases of infan.
tile paralysis begin with a slight in
disposition. Should the illness prove
to be infantile paralysis isolate the pa
tient, place q competent person ii
charge, and reduce all communication
with the sick room to a minimum
Hospital care is preferable, not onl,
for the child but in order to better
safeguard against the spread of th'
disease. The sick room should be wei
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 excretion
should be disinfected in the sam,
Kramer as for typhoid fever, that is b.
boiling, the long continued applica
ton CT per cent carbolic. or othe
well recognized disinfectant. The sam,
is true for dishes and drinking vessels
Nurses should exercise the same pre-
cautions as regards cleanliness o
hands in caring for infantile paralysi
patients as for those afflicted will
other infectious diseases.
! A child may convey the disease t,
J others even after a lapse of severa
weeks. For this reason quarantine
should be maintained for a consider
able period, usually from six to eigh
weeks, and the above precaution
should be adhered to during this time
Disinfection of the room following re
coVery is advisable.
: TRADE is STILL GOOD.