Omaha daily bee., 1916-07-25
PREVENTIVE HINTS
FOR DREAD DISEASE
q. s. Public Health Service
Reviews Infantile Paralysis
Situation.
SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE


the way Of suggestions for the proven
ton of infantile paralysis;
To control the present epidemic OF
infantile paralysis the chain OF in
fection between persons harboring
germs OF the disease and the well
members of the community should be
broken. lufantile paralysis is prob
ably caused by a very minute organ.
ism found in the nasal, mouth and
bowel discharges of those who have
the disease or who are carriers OF
the germ without themselves suffer
ing from the ailment. All OF the
steps in the spread of the infection
are not known but If this germ can
be prevented from passing from the
INJECTED to the well person, the disease
will cease.
Infantile paralysis is not a disease
.of recent origin. Sporadic or scat
tered cases have occurred throughout
the country for many years, but 1t
is only during the last decade that the
infection has assumed epidemic pro-
portions in the United States. The
present epidemic in New York city,
on account OF its magnitude and Writ.
lence, has awakened the residents Of
many communities to the danger OF
the Importation, of the disease into
their own midst. This danger is.real,
but il due precautions are exercised
it is believed that the epidemic will
yubside. - 80 80 ty = .. ~. : -
Authorities Duties. 49, Y.
The actual control OF the present
epidemic must be left to the city,
state and federal health authorities.
These organis atioas will properly
quarantine and care for affected per-
sons, prescribe sanitary measures and
limit as may be neressary the travel
tof individuals In order to protect
neighboring districts from the infec-
ton. Individuals and communities,
however, can do much toward their
own protection.
Polimyelitis is probably spread
directly or indirectly, through the
medium OF infcctive secretions. Ac
count therefore must be taken by
communities OF every. means by
which such secretionss are dissent
mated. Promiscuous expectoration
should be controlled. The common
drinking cup affords a method for
the interchange OF material Of this
nature and should therefore be
abolished. Rigid cleanliness of
glasses and utensils az soda fountains,
in saloons and other public places
should sbe-cnfOrced: Fsliesy~roa ches
.and other vermin, by coming in con-
tact with infective seeretions, may
possibly convey them to- our food
and thug directly bring about the de-
velopments OF disease. Therefore
eliminate insects. Street and house
dust bear a definite relation to the
spread OF many infections and II is
mot unreasonable, to presume that
%they my be factor in the dis.
semination Of infantile paralysis.
maintain strictly 'tlsahiiness r. oil
streets, yards and alleys in order to
prevent the breeding of insects and
other vermin. See that all garbage
and waste are probably cared for and
collected at regular and frequent in
tervals. Guard all food supplies, es.
pccially milk and other perishable
products. Digestive ,troubles Of chill
dren arising from the ingestion oil
food Of questionable quality msy
lower resistance. Assemblies Of chill.
dren in infected localities are to be
discouraged. II not actually forbid.
den. While the above measures are
in sense general, and applicable tc
many epidemic diseases, their i'm.
portance should not be overlooked.
IA Preventive Measures.
Individual preventive measures may
be thus summarized:
Summon a physician at once ant
immediately notify the health Officer
OF the presence OF the disease. Il
the disease is present in the com,
immunity, medical aid should be sought
whenever a child Is sick, no mat,
ter low light the illness; many case.
sof infantile, paralysis begin with /
slight indisposition. Should the Ill
mess prove to be infantile paralysi,
isolate the patient, place competent
person in charge, and reduce all com
munication with 1.-THE sick room to |
minimum Hospital care is prefer
able, not only for the child, but II
in order to better safeguard agains
the spread OF the disease. The sicl
room should be we'll ventilated ant
screened. Nasal and mouth secre
tons should be received In i cloths
placed in paper bag, and burned
The clothing OF the child, the bet
linen, and the excretions should b,
disinfected in the same manner as fo
typhoid fever, that is by boiling, tn,
long continued application OF
per cent carbolic, or other wei
recognized disinfectant. The sam
is true for dishes and drinking yes
= sells. Nurses should exercise tn
same precautionS Is regards cleatiii
mess Of hands in caring for infantil
paralysis patients as for those al
flicted with other infections disease.
A child may convey the disease I,
others even after lapse Of severa
weeks. For this reason quarantin
should be maintained for consid
cradle period, usually from six t,
eight weeks, and the above precau
lions should be adhered to durinI
Y this time. Disinfection az the room