Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-07-20
A THROAT Infection
DIR. Bryant Says Paralysis Germs
Attack Only Membranes of Head
Never Get into the Blood--Recomm n d y
Quarantine, Nnsal ana Thront
washes, and Operations for
AGenOidal Gro,vths.


ogist to the Manhattan State hospital,
who has made a close clinical study Of
epidemic polomyelitis (so-called infartile
and epidemic cerebrc spinal
has reached some striking
conclusions as to the origin, modes of in
lection, and management of these dis
eases says the New York Times
The physician has concluded that the
two diseases have the same portal of in
lection, namely the naso- phaiynx, Just
as true influenza. diphthera, and other
better understood diseases also enter at
this point
DIR. Bryant concluded that in epidemic
nfantile paralysis, as in cerebro-spinal
meningitis and other acute Diseases the
symptoms remote from the determinations
of the nose and throat We're not really
pathological entities of the disease itself
but complications.
QUARANTINE THE FIRST STEP.
Admitting that the disease is infectious
and contagious, the first step i'm treat
ment is quarantine, saws DR.. Bryant, and
isolation should continue throughout the
entire stage of Inflammation of the naso-
pharynx. The general treatment is al ont
the same AS that for other diseases Of
the upper air tract. namely treatment Of
symptoms, rest in bed. Il limited diet and
plenty of water to drink
Treatment of the inflamed areas. name
ly, the nose and throat as "adenoiS coun-
try" as Dr. Bryant calls Il. consists Of
spraying with mild alkaline antiscptic So
lutons, but douches and Eargles should
not be employed as they are dangerous
4
salts of silver may lie used. as well as
non-rancid oils combined with on aro-
matte such as menthol. These agents are
all to he used as sprays. and may he dcs-
ignated AS home methods of treatment.
Operative Interference may he alvis-
able, according TO DIR. Bryants present
views. and those suffering from acute
attacks, as wei as suspects and persons
afflicted with simple so-pharyncitis
during an epidemic Of infantile paralysis,
should he examined to see If abnormalitics
exist in the "adenoid country" If such
| examinations reveal enlarged adenoids
and tonsils, 1t may he necessary to re-
move the adenoids and possibly the tom
| sils.
NEED FOR OPERATIONS.
The pituitary gland, body that has a
peculiar and far-reaching influence
throughout the animal economy, may be-
come involved In infantile PARALYSIS The
! tail Of it extends down into the uaso-
pharynX, and may become iufamed in
conjunction with the adenoids. Infection
from diseased adenoid may spread from
the tail of the pituitary to the whole pit
uitary body. In this event, what is known
as hypo-activity of the gland follows, AND
the result of this is that the resistance OF
the whole body to disease is lowered.
The removal of the diseased adenoit
results in the removal of the infection
from the pituitary body. which is re
stored to normal activity. This restora
ton to a normal condition of the ptui
tary body restores, in turn, the norma
resistance of the body TO infantie pa
ralysis.
While the researches of recent years al
point to the conclusion that infantile par
alysis is caused by a bacterium or germ
the agent is SO small that 1t has reve
been seen. DIR. Bryant maintains. how
ever, that the germ is not a parasite, be
cause it does not get into the blood or in
to any part Of the system. He points on
that where the known germs of diseas
actually invade the blood. counteractin
agents, known as anti-bodies, at once de
velop in the blood to fight the invade,
No anti-hodies are found in the blood u
persons suffering from nfantile paralysis
GERM ON MUCOUS MEMBRANES.
Dr.. Bryant asserts that the germ q
infantile paralysis merely rests on tn
surface of the mucous membrane of tn
I've -r,ta a irf nv
organism. In plant life, an epiphyte
; described as plant which grows upo
another but which is not a parasite
: He says that the germ of infantie ps
ralysis is an epiphyte. because the dis
ease cannot be inoculated into an an
I NAL with anything taken from the bod
of a patient suffering from mfantile p;
ralysis. except the substance taken frol
the surface of the membrane Of the nos
and throat.
What is it, then, that causes paralys
. and death in these cases? Or, Bryant say
1t is the poison given off by these ultr'
microscopic germs, The poison is Absorb
- ed into the system. The virus spreat
y through the system by means of the bloc
- and selects for It's invasion those parts {
:. the nervous system that oppose the lea.
> resistance to its devastating action
% 1t is not probable. in DR.. Bryants oph
y ion, that we will ever discover an ant
- toxin for infantile paralysis. because II
, germ-the active agent-does not apre'
u In the blood and no anti-hodles develop
the blood or nervous system.
10 CONTRACTION IN DUST.
As to the means of infection. it is &c
d tain that IT is found in the dust. TIL
e indicates that the organism lives f
d some time in the dry state, Then the
d is what is known as the "droplet' moo
- Of infection. A drop Of the secretion COZ
ID tanning the infection may fall on the clot
8 ing. It dries there and i'm time is broke
Is off and conveyed to others,
" Young children are more susceptible
f. the virus than old persons, Or. Brya
IA saws. because they are more susceptih
q. to all posons. And infants are more 81
8 ceptible. particularly in larger cities, th'
q children of school age, because in rece
in New York city, are Obliged TO underi
nc medical examinations and have had the
~, nose and throat defects properly treate
. "Money spent In looking after chidr
= in schools is well spent" DR. Brya
~ says
II 'sWithout strict quarantine we cano
expect 10 accomplish much on accou
. of carriers and latent cases The infc
tion has been known to exist in the mas
~ nhorvnx for at least six months. but t
~ length of time 1t will remain there G
= lo,or,,1incd hv l,o,,1o,ion