Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-22

DR.. A. G. Young, secretary Of the
State Board Of Health, returning from
tho special conference in Washington
which had been called by the surgeon
general Of the United States Public
Health Service between his service and
the representatives Of the State boards
Of health to arrange for cooperative
work against infantile paralysis, re-
ports that there was a large attend
ance at the sessions of the conference.
All of the New England and Middle
states were represented and aside from
those states that are near to New York,
or to which there is large movement
Of summer travel, many of the far
away states indicated their apprecia-
ton Of the danger Of the widespread
Of infantile paralysis. From the far
Washington, Montana, Colorado. Ari-
iona and New Mexico. All of the
NSSA%S~N
the exception Of Georgia.
Besides the one or more delegates
from 40 states, II Of the large railroad
systems, in response to an invitation
to be represented, sent their chief rail-
way surgeons, some Of whom have done
notable work in studies and investiga-
lions in railway hygiene and in fur
0P a
ployes Of their companies.
The sessions Of the conference COW
cred two days, for so many points
needed careful consideration that the
work could not be done in a shorter
time, as was anticipated.
In the reports of the present status
of infantile paralysis in their states,
the delegates brought out several in
teresting things: Many, as the dele
gate from Maine did. reported that the
number Of cases Of infantile paralysis
in their states, in the first half of the
year, had been unusually few. In the
Southern states with the early advent
of the warm season the infantile pa
ralysis season arrives earlier and de-
parts later. Infantile paralysis Is a
freaky disease. Sometimes it obeys the
laws which psychologists have laid
down for it and sometimes it does not
Go so, as occurred in Maine few
years ago when, through the warm
season there were but a very few cases
until the cool weather Of october; then
five or six outbreaks came in rapid
succession in as many different towns.
Most of the work Of the conference
might be arranged under the follow
ing heads:
4 consideration Of the symptoms and
diagnosis of infantile paralysis, par
ticularly in the non-paralytic cases and
the archaeological ways OF the dis
ease.
The home or local management OF
casess of infantile paralysis so that
there may be as little chance as pos
sible for the spread of the disease from
the primary cases. A report MADE by
the committee into whose hands this
matter was placed will be printed and
sent out from the surgeon-generars Of
fee as soon as possible.
Another special committee on the
control Of Interstate travel from and
to places where infantile paralysis is
unusually prevalent, so that there may
be the least interference of traffic COM
patible with public safety. made a re-
port some sections Of which were very
earnestly discussed but with slight
amendments was unanimously accept
ed. The rules laid down in that report
provide the basis for the greatly need
ed uniformity Of requirements among
tho states and municipalities
In brief the provisions of the report
are that there shall be as effective a
cooperation as possible between the
United States Public Health Service
and the state boards of health; that
hereafter notifications from the feder-
al service shall be sent direct to the
state boards of health; that permits
for interstate travel shall be signed by
an officer Of the United States Public
Health Service, or by the State health
officer, or by an officer authorized by
the state health authority; that per-
m1ts to travel shall be void unless the
Journey shall begin within "a hours
after the issue of the permit The re-
port Of this committee disapproves
quarantine by one state against an
other state or of one community
against another community in the
same state.
DR.. Emerson, commissioner Of health
of New York City, and DR.. Banks,
who has charge Of the federal work Of
that city. were present at the confer
ence and. from their experience with
tho epidemic work in NV York City,
were Of much help in shaping the pol
icies Of the conference.
Forestry Department
A report was received on Sunday by
Forest Commissioner and Land Agent
E~e~,. z Moco ~ a forest fro in the