Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-27
ISOLATION PREVENTS
INFANTiLE PARALYSIS

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To control the present epidemic OF
infantile paralysis. according to a
statement issued by the United States
public health service today, the chain
of infection between persons harbor-
ing germs Of the disease and the well
members Of the community should be
broken. Infantile paralysis is prob
ably caused by 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 suffering
from the ailment. All Of the steps in
the spread of the infection are not
known but IL this germ can be pre-
vented from passing from the in
fected to the well person, the disease
will cease.
Infantile paralysis is not n disease
OF recent origin. Sporadic or scat
tered cases have occurred turnout the
country for many years but 1t is only
during the last decade that the infec-
ton has assumed epidemic proportions
in the United States. The present cpl
demic in New York City, on account
OF it's magnitude and virulence. has
awakened the residents of many COM
munities to the danger of the impor-
tation of the disease into their own
midst. This danger is real, but II due
precautions are exercised it is be-
lieved that the epidemic will subside.
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, pre-
scribe sanitary measures and limit as
may be necessary the travel of in
dividuals in order to protect neigh
boring districts from the infection.
Individuals and communities, however
can do much toward their own protec-
ton.
Poliomyelitis is probably spread
directly or indirectly. thru the medium
of infective secretions. Account must
therefore be taken by communities or
every means by which such secretions
are disseminated. PromisCuous eN-
pectoration should be controlled. The
common drinking cup affords
method for the interchange of 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 in
fective secretons, may possibly con-
vey them to our food and thus directly
bring about the development of dis
ease Therefore eliminate insects.
Street and house dust bear definite
relation to the spread Of many infec-
tons and it is not unreasonable TO
presume that they may he FACTOR in
the dissemination Of infantlle pa
ralysis. Maintain strict cleanliness OF
streets, yards and alleys in order to
prevent the breeding of insects and
other vermin. See that all garbage
and waste are properly cared Tor ana
collected at regular and frequent m
tervals. Guard all food supplies
especially milk and other perishaple
products. Digestive troubles of chill
dren arising from the indigestion 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
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 and
Immediately notify the health OFFICER
of the presence of the disease. If the
disease is present in the community.
medical aid should be sought when
ever child is sick no matter how
light the illness: many cases or IN
fantile paralysis begin with slight
indisposition. Should the illness prove
to be infantile paralysis isolate the
patient, place competent person in
charge. and reduce all communication
with the sick room to minimum
Hospital care is preferable. not only
for the child but in order to better
safeguard against the spread of the
disease. The sick room should be
we'll ventilated and screened. Nasal
and mouth secretions should be re-
ceived in cloths. placed in a paper bag
and burned The clothing Of the child
the bed linen, and the eXcretions
should be disinfected in the same
manner as for typhoid fever, that is
by boiling, the long continued applica-
ton of per cent carbolic. or other
well recognized disinfectant. The same
is true for dishes and drinking vessels.
Nurses should exercise the same pre-
cautions as regards cleanliness Of
hands in caring for infantile DaralySiS