Evening star., 1916-08-12
Forty-TWo Deaths From In
'fantiIe Paralysis in Twenty
Four Hours.
CHINESE DOCTORS THINK
THE WEATHER TO BLAME
Report That Disease Becomes Epi.
demic in China Under Similar
Atmospheric Conditions. :

NEW YORK. August 12-An Increase
in both deaths and new cases in the
epidemic of infantile paralysis was
shown in today's bulletin of the health
department. Forty-two children died of
the disease during the twenty-four-
hour period ending at 10 O'Clock this
morning. and 1S7 new cases were re-
ported, as against 81 deaths and 1s5
demic started in June the plague has
attacked s,145 children and there have
been 1,371 deaths.
In the belief that the greatly in
creased mortality among animals in
New York in July. as compared with
the corresponding month of 1915. may
have some connection with the infan-
tile paralysis epidemic. DR.. Haven En-
erson, health commissioner, today or
dered the veterinary surgeons OF the
health department to determine IL any
animals had been killed by the plague.
The increase Is more than 100 per
cent and is confined chiefly to cats and
dogs.
I'VE do not know how much Of this
increase is due to the special efforts
being made to collect dead animals,
said Dr. Emerson. "or how much to
disease which may be prevalent among
them Nor do we know what thts dis-
ease Is IL there Is disease
Chinese Blame Weather.
Infantile paralysis is not considered es-
pecially dangerous in China, where II has
been known for centuries and where 1t is
attributed to an atmospheric condition
due to hot, humid weather, DIR. Lee Hang
Gee and DR.. Yuen Hook Ting have re-
ported to Health Commissioner Emerson.
The Chinese physicians made their re-
port afte an investigation OF cases
of the disease now being treated IN hos
pitals They reached the conclusion that
the disease is no different from that
known in China The atmospheric condi-
tion responsible for the epidemic is
known in China as wong sah. they
assert. and is similar to the Bermuda
high" which recently passed over tho
Their report says that the peculiar at
mosphere permeated the pores OF young
children, reducing blood pressure, where
upon circulation becomes sluggish and the
limbs cease to perform their functions
MANY deaths from the disease are attrib
uted to negligent parents.
Cases often Neglected.
"Sometimes cases are neglected Tor
three or four weeks by careless parents
in the hope Of an easy cure, and before
the thought of death arises" the re-
port says.
Health Commissioner Emerson said
that the Chinese viewpoint or patho-
logical study differs SO from that Of the
occidental physician that he did not
care to make statement III II is
shown that the medicine the Chinese
recommend is not harmful, and IL there
is reason to believe it may do good. II
might be used the commissioner said
Improvement in hospital cases treat
ed by blood serum was reported again.
but difficulty is being experienced IN
obtaining enough of the serum. thirty
ounces only could be had yesterday.
while from 100 to $50 ounces a day
are needed for the cases on hand
DR.. Leroy Vail, thirty years old, of
Finishing. u Y, was taken to a hospital
with infantile paralysis yesterday. He
returned the day before from vaca-
ton in Hartford, Conn.
Spread of Epidemic in New Jersey.
TRENTON, n. j.. August 12.-Eight
Municipalities heretofore unaffected by
the infantile paralysis epidemic today
reported the prevalence of the disease
to the state department of health. Re-
ports of forty-five new cases were filed
with the board, with Newark's cases
yet to- be reported. The total NUMBER
of cases in the state is 1.42S.