Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-08-11
PREVENTION INfANTIlE PARALYSIS.

PREVENTION NFANTllE PARALYSIS,
To control the present epidemic Of
tnfsntils paralysis, according to q
statement issued by the United States
Public Health Service, the chain of in
fection between persons hsrborinp
germs Of the disease and the well
msnbsrs Of the community should be
broken. Infsntile paralysis 10 probs-
bly, caused BY . very minute organism
found In the nasal, mouth and bowel
discharge Of those who have the dis
oaso or who are carriers of the germ
without themselves suffering from the
ailmeut. All Of the steps In the spread
Of the infection are not known, but II
this germ can be prevented from
psssine from the infected to the well
person, the disease will cease.
InfantIls paralysis ID not . disease OF
recent origin. Sporadic or scattered
Gases have occurred throughout the
country for many years, but It IL only
during the last decade that the infec-
Hon hes assumed epidemic proper
lions In the United States. The pres.
snt epidemic in New York City, on
account Of it magnitude and virulsnce
has awakened the residents of many
communities to the danger of the Inn
portation of the disease into their own
midst. This danger il real, bat II due
preceutions are exercised, 1t 10 be-
hsvsd that the epidemic will subside.
The actual control Of the present
epidemic must be left to the city,
stats and federal health authorities.
These organisation will properly
quarantine and care for affected per-
sons, prescribe sanitary measures and
limit - may be necessary the trayel of
indlviduals in order to protect neigh
boring districts from the infection.
Individuals and communities, however,
can do much toward their own pro-
lection.
\ POliomyelitis IL probably spread
directly or indirectly, through the
medium OF infective secretions. -Ac-
count must, therefore, be taken by
communities OF every means BY which
such sscretions are disseminated.
Promiscuous expectorstIon should be
controlled. The common drinking
cup affords . method for the intsr-
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,
ro&ches and other vermin, by coming
In contact with infective secretions,
may possibly convey them to our
food and thus directly bring about
the development of disease. There
fore, eliminate insects. Street and
house dust bear . definite relation to
the spread Of many infections and it
10 not unreasonable to presume that
they may be factor in the dissent.
nation Of infantile paralysis. Main
Tain strict cleanliness OF streets, yards
and alleys In order to prevent the
breeding Of insects and other vermin.
See that oil garbage and waste are
properly cared for and collected ct
regular and frequent intervals. Guard
al food supplies, especially milk and
other perishable products. Digestive
troubles Of children arising from in
digestion Of food Of questionable quail
~ may lower resistance. Assemblies
OF children In infective localities are
to be discouraged II not actually for
hlddan. While the above measures
are In sense general and applicable
TO many epidemic diseases, their i'm.
portanoe should not be overlooked.
Individual preventive measures may
be thus summarized:
summon physician at once and
immediately notify the health officer
OF the presence OF the disease. II the
disssss d present in the community,
aid should be sought when
Dyer . child 10 sick, no matter how
|lght the illness; many cases Of in
Iantile paralysis begin with . slight
Should the illness
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