The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1916-08-03

OCIdtS.
PREVENTION OF INFANTuE
PARALYSIS.
To control the present epidemic Of
infantile paralysis, according to a
statement by the United States Public
Health Service today, the chair # in
lection between persons harboring
germs of the disease and tile well
members of the community should be
broken. 1nfantile 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 Infected
to the we'll person, the disease will
cease.
Infantile paralysis is not a disease
Of recent origin. Sporadic or scatter
ed cases have occurred throughout the
country for many years but it is cnl.
during the last decade that the infec-
ton has assumed epidemic prop ,rtie as
in the United States. The present cpl
demic in New York City, on account IT
its magnitude and virulence has
awakened the residents of manv COM
munities to the danger Of the impo:-
tation of the diesase into their or u
midst. This danger is real, but il due
precautions are exercised it is beleiev-
ed 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 art for infected per-
sons, prescribe sanitary measures and
limit as may be necessary the travel
of individuals in order to protect the
neighboring districts from infection.
Individuals and communities, how .ver,
can do much toward their own pro-
lection.
Polioymelitis is probably spread
directly or indirectly, through the
medium Of infective secretions. Ac.
count must therefore be taken by COM
munities of every mean by which Sc
cretions are disseminated. Prom <:n-
GUS expectoration should be controlled.
The common drinking cup affords a
method for the interchange of matt:
ial of this nature and should there
fore be abolished. Rigid cleanlias IS,
of glasses and utensils at soda foun-
tains, in saloons and other publ.
places should be enforced. Flies
reaches and other vermin, by com.
in contact with infective secret; IS
may possibly convey them to our foct
and thus directly bring about the de.
velopment of disease. Therefore l.r.
mate insects. Street and house dust
bear a definite relation to the sprcaf
of many infections and it is not un.
reasonable to presume that they lna!
be a factor in the dissemination of in.
fantile paralysis. Maintain strict
cleanliness Of streets, yards and alle:ys
in order to prevent the breeding o.
insects and other vermin. See thas al
garbage and waste are properly carcc
for and collected at regular and f:n
quent intervals. Guard all food sup
plies, especially milk and other p r.
ishable products. Digestive trouble.
of children arising from the indiges
ton of food of questionable qualit!
may lower resistance. Assemblies O
children in infected localities are is
couraged, if not. actually forbidden
While the above measures are in
sense general, and applicable to man,
epidemic diseases, their importanc,
should not be overlooked.
Individual preventative measure
may be thus summarized: Summon
physician at once and immediatel,
notify the health officer of the pres
ence Of the disease. If the disease i
present in the community, medical III
should be sought whenever a child !!
sick no matter how light the illness
many cases of infantile paralysis lie
gin with a slight indisposition. Should
the illness prove to be infantile paral
ysis isolate the patient, place a com
petent person in charge, and radue.
all communication with the sick room
to a minimum. Hospital care ia ..e
ferable, not only for the child but il
order to better safeguard against IT,.