The Washington times., 1916-07-10

NEW rOhh, July lU-Tne total Oh
New York's infantile paralysis cases
passed the thousand mark today. 81
simultaneously there began the greatest
cleaning up that the biggest city in the
world has ever experienced. Four mil
lion gallons Of water from now on will
be used each day to flush the streets in
the sections where babies have contract
ed the disease and every street in the
greater city Will he thoroughly cleaned at
least once every twenty-four hours. All
police as they reported today were given
orders. requiring arrests for all infrac-
lions Of the health laws and the most
complete sanitation everywhere.
The fact which gave most encourage
ment to lighters against the courge was
that for the past three days the rate of
spread OF the Infection has dropped
slightly each day.
The Red Cross local chapter will meet
late this afternoon to plan q campaign
Of determination against the disease and
10 ascertain txnctly what It's resources
these may be rroffered Health Commits
sionei Emerson.
In Range Of Control.
Because Of precautions taken by health
authorities. II Is believed the epidemic
is now within range OF control. Health
Commissioner Haven Emerson appeared
venting any big increase of the disease.
He expects. however. that the epidemic
will continue until September.
ENCOURAGED by the apparent success
| OF sanitary arrangements In cutting
short the rapjir multiplication OF cases.
! the city administration. headed by
Mayor Mitchell. has made plans for Civ
ing New York the most thorough clean
UP II has ever had. The mayor called
into conference at the Bar Association
DIR. Emerson. John T. Fetherston, street
cleaning commissioner; Leon r. Cooley.
| acting police commissioner; William
Williams. commissioner OF water sup
ply. gas and electricity. and John J.
| Murphy. commissioner Of the tenement
house department. With them he dis
cussed the best means of giving New
York city the most drastic houseclean-
ing in its history. 1t was decided to take
special pains to clear away garbage
and refuse earlier In the day than
usual and to flush the streets every
day.
Must Go To Hospitals.
Furthermore. II was planned to have
all parents whose children are afflicted
with infantile paralysis to agree to send
| them to hospitals. The reason for this
Is that only per cent Of the children.
| or about thirty-one. who were taken to
hospitals. have died. while Of the chill
per cent have died. DR.. Emerson IL
strongly Of the opinion that better care
can be given to the children in the hos
| pitfalls than at home.
dictated a long statement outlining the
plans for New York's cleanup. 1t Is In
part. as follows:
Although very little is known Of the
origin or transmission of infantlle pa
| ralysis, I am advised by the health au-
thorities that all scientific experience
points to the fact that II Is communi-
Gated by direct personal contact. and
| that the gers do not live apart from
the human body; In other words. that II
Ia necessary for one diseased person. or
another who has been In contact with
a diseased person. to come in turn into
order that the disease be communicated
Bending Every Energy.
The health department is now bend
ing every energy night and day to pre-.
vent the spread Of the infection through
such contacts as Just described. This
II Is doing by segregating the cases In
hospitals as rapidly as the diagnosis car
be positively made. and by educating
the people In personal cleanliness.
"Acfumulations OF refuse containing
garbage in the public streets at various
points In the congested districts have
been reported during the last few days
These are conditions that exist continu.
ously in the congested districts. and are
solely the product OF violations Of city
; ordinances by householders wro. de.
spite repeated warnings and all that
we can do to the contrary. insist or
throwing the refuse into the streets ir
place OF collecting II In proper recep.
tacles as provided by law. A real city
cleanup. with the maintenance OF clean
lv conditions. can he effected only Il
householders will cooperate ny oh,
serving those ordinances forbidding The
Spreading of refuse In the streets."