The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1916-07-29
PREVENTION OF
lNFANTILE PARALYSIS

To control the present epidemic of
infantile paralysis, according to a
statement issued by the United States
Public Health Service the chain of in
lection between persons harborTng
germs of the disease and the we'll
members of the community should be
broken. Infantie paralysis is probao-
~ caused by very minute organism
tsonnd in the nasal, mouth and bowel
discharges of those who have the dis
ease or who are carriers of the germ
without themselves suffering from the
ailment. All of the steps in the spread
of the infection are not known but If
this germ can be prevented from pass
ing from the infected to the well per
son. the disease will cease.
InfantiIe paralysis is not a disease
of recent origin. Sporadic or scatter
sd cases have occurred throughout the
country for many years, but it is Only
during the last decade that the infec-
tion has assumed epidemic proportions
in the United States. The present cpl
demc has awakened the residents Of
many communities to the danger of
the Importation of the disease into
their own midst. This DANCE" is real,
but if due precautions are exercised 1t
is believed that the epidemic will sub
side.
The actual control of the present
epidemic must be left to the city, state
and Federal health authorities. These
organizations will properly quaran-
tine and care for affected persons,
prescribe sanitary measures and limit
as may be necessary the travel of in
dividuals in order to protect neighbour
ing districts from the infection. In
EhVidualS and communities, however,
can do much toward their own protec-
ton.
foiiomelitis is probably spread d.
rectly or indirectly, through the med
ium of infectiVe secretions. Account
must therefore be taken by communi-
ties of every means by which such
Secretions are disseminated. Promis-
cuoUs eNpectoration should lie con-
rrolled. The common drinking cup
affords d method for the interchange.
of material Of this nature and should
therefore be abolished Rigid clean
illness 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 secretiOns,
may possibly convey them to our food
and thus directly bring about the de-
veiopment of disease. Therefore eli
inmate insects. Street and house dust
bear q definite relation to the spread
of many infections and it is not un-
reasonable to presume that they may
he a factor in the dissemination Of in
FAINT lie p.T1lVsiS Maintain strict
E-San!i"eSs OF streets, yards ana alleys
ih ORDER 10 prevent the breeding Il
insects ana otner VefmlA, See th2t All
&arh&-e ana waste are properly cared
10Y &ho effected ut regular ana ire
GUient intervals. Guard al! i"od sup
leN. eSl e,I&'I\ miik and other PERISH
a. .e N'a'.t,. niEeSu|e troubles OF
.".&'en ar!sinP. IRON the lhgcstIon OF
1000 @ 0~.SupHah.2 4lality may
i."t. -.'l-h"'. Ns.einaAeS OF chill
". il'- ,ea localities are to ne
';I-,n4 .,.-'., Il Hol actually lorDii-
.''.. "t.'e me above measures are
D.. ~e. '."eIdj, and %pnHcahle TO
many r.i@ttnlc diseases, jhelr import
'-.e .ho.s.d not ne overlooked.
tn'"'NoN preventive measures may
'" ,ru, summarized:
summon. physician at once and
.. ,. ,""'e-N notify the health officer
81, me presence ~ Tue disease. If the
"l~G,a.se 81, present ~ the community,
h""l-, 5.H noNd ne sought "he.-
ever q .A!qd Is SICK no matter how
~ the i!'hes.Si many cases OF ~
,""tlIc paralysis begin with q sHght
l'~l"poH!uoh. Should the illness prove
/" ne lhfaht'e paralysis Isolate the