The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-09-12
u. S. BULLETIN
ON PARALYSIS
Government Gives Some Good Advise
to citizers-Prevention and
Control Discussed.

The United States public health
service Is concerning itself with the
epidemic of infantile paralysis and -
giving out the following:
To control tn, present epidemic Of
Infantile paralysis is probably caused
ton between persons harboring germs
of the disease and the well members
of the community should be broken.
Infantn eparaiysis is probably caused
by a very minute organism found in
the nasal. mouth and bowel dis
charges Of those who have the dis
ease 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 prevented from
passing from the infected to the wen
person the disease viii 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 rlIe 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 ana virui-
ence, has awakened the residents Of
many communities to the danger Of
the importa ton OF the disease into
their own midst This danger is real.
but IL due precautions are exercised
Ii 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 Eiil probably
quarantine and care for affected per-
sons, prescribe sanitary measures and
limit as may be necessary the travel
of individuals in order TO protect
neighboring districts from the infec-
ton. Individuals and communities.
however, can do much toward their
own protection
How II Spreads
Poliamyeiitis is probably spread di-
rectiy or indirectly. through the
medium of infeetive secretions- Ao-
count must therefore be taken ny
communities of every means by which
such secretions are disseminated.
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 clean
illness 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 infectiye secretions.
may possibly convey them to our food
and thus directly bring about the de-
yelopment of disease Therefore
eliminate insects. Street and house
dust bear definite relation to the
spread of many infections and it is
not unreasonable to presume that
they may be factor in the dissent
nation of infaltile paralysis Main
tain strict cleanliness OF streets,
yards and alleys in order TO prevent
the breeding OF other verulin. See
that all garbage and waste are prop
erly cared for and collected at regu-
lar and frequent intervals. Guard all
! food supplies. especially milk and
other perishabIe products Digestive
troubles of children arising from the
Indigestion Of food of questionable
quality may lower resistance. As
semblies OF children in infected local.
ties are 10 be discouraged. If no;
actually forbidden While the above
measures are il sense general ard
applicable TO many epidemic diseasa4
their importance should not be over
looked.
Measures for Defense