New Britain herald., 1916-07-26
PARALYSIS AND
 HOW ID STOP T
Preventative Measures Suggested by US. Board Of Health Service
Especial to the Herald )

Washington, July 26.-To control the present epidemic of infantile paralysis, according to a statement issued by the United States Public Health Service today, the chain of iI1- lection between persons harboring germs of the disease and the well mem bers of the community should be broken. Infantile 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 suffering from the ailment. All of the steps in the spread of the infection are not known but if this germ can be pre- vented from passing from the in- fected to the we'll person, the disease will cease.
 Infantile paralysis is not disease of recent origin. Sporadic or scat tered cases have occurred throughout the country for many years but it 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 it's ma gnitude and vir- ulence, 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 if due preca utions are exercised 1t is believed 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 quarantine and care for affected per sons, prescribe sanitary measures and limit as may be necessary the travel of individuals in order to pro- tect neighboring district from the infection. Individuals and communi- , ties however, can do much toward their protection.
 Stop Splitting.
 Polionyelitis is probably spread di- rectly or indirectly, through the me- dium of infective secretions. Ac- .count must therefore be taken by communities of every means by which such secretions are are disseminated 'Prom1scuOus eXpectOratiOn should be controlled. The common drinking cup affords a method for the inter- change 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 infective se- . cretions, may possibly convey them 70 our food and thus directly bring Therefore eliminate insects. Street and house dust bear a definite rela- tion to the spread of many infections and 1t Is not unreasonable to pre- sume that they may be a factor in the dissemination of infantile 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 for and collected at regular and frequent in tervals Guard all food supplies es- pecially milk and other perishable products. Digestive troubles of chill . dren arising from the ingestion of food of questionable quality may lower resistance. Assemblies of chill dren in infected localities are to be discouraged, if not actually forbid den. While the above measures are in sense general, and applicable to