The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-07-14
Dr. Sophian IB Given Complete Charge of
 Health of Bridgeport
(continued from Page l.,


 les. lunch rooms, restaurants, thea tres. etc. Moving picture theatres and play. children unless necessity should de. mand. Each theatre is to be asked to use it's screen for disseminating in. formation in various languages to their patrons Dr. Sophian will ad' vocate closing the theatres to childrer under 16 years, for the present.
 A complete record is being made oi all recent arrivals from other catiei and those coming to this city hereaf. ter from infected districts will be ex' amined by a physician and check kepi upon their health. . Investigation by health officials will be made in surrounding towns today as to just what protective means against infection have been put into effect. In case 1t should be found their measures are intellectual in checking a spread of infantile paralysis Bridge port will be closed against them by rigid restrictions at the entrances to this city. One of the first things to be done by Dr. Sophian was the issuance of circular detailing the cause of the dis ease, means of infection and precau-
 tions to be; taken before and after in fantile paralysis had appeared In the
 family or community.
 Among the salient features of this
 circular Is the fact that colds are con- asidered likely to spread the infection of paralysis Mothers are particu- larly cautioned that their children's g
 mouths, noses and throats should be sprayed daily by some znon-drritating solution and all persons are recom- |mended to take the same precaution- ary means. Kissing is condemned. especially in children and parents here
 are warned to keep their children
 away from those coming from New
 York for period of two weeks at
 feast, Other Information already
 widely published here Is included in
 the following:
 "Infantile pxralysis Is contagious
 disease produced by a minute germ which enters the body principally
 through the nose and throat. The di- sease consists principally of an in fiamrnation of the spinal cord and
 brain. It Is transmitted by dissem- ination of those discharges of the sick which contain the ecausitive germ. These discharges are namely from the nose and throat; the urine and stool. however, also contain the infection. Tt h readily understood how healthy people coming in contact with infective discharges or material =
 which the discharges have lightd
 may themselves become infected with
 the germ of the disease. This germ
 enters the nose and throat and may produce only q catarrh as in common
 cold. There may be no further synap- toms and the disease which we know
 as infantile paralysis may not de-
 velop. As matter of fact, in only a very small percentage of those ex-
 posed to the disease and in whom the germs enter by the nose, and throat, does the disease actually develop. Children are very much more suscep- tible than adu1tG As high as 97 per cent. of caseA are seen in children. Healthy Garry Germs
 .-rhe healthy people vho hava been exposed to infantile paralysis and in
 whom the germ has produced only .
 local cold or catarrh in the nose and
 throat may carry the germ in their noses and tlifoats and spread 1t around to others by splitting or from
 the nasal discharges. even though they themselves actually do not de- ve1op the dtsease, There is no prac- ticable method of determining who these he4lthy infected are. Known
 as healthy carriers they are the most probable agencies in diss9minating
 the disease and in causing an epi- denic. There is produced an ever- increasing number of carriers, vic- ious cycle, In the course of which .
 small percentage of susceptible indi- viduals who become infected actually develope infantile para1vsis.
 The first step in the prevention Of this disease therefore, is to guard against colds: for those who have colds to be careful not to como into close contact with other people espe- cial1y children: to be careful not to expectorAte indiscriminately and to collect properly and destroy the dis- charges from the nose. It would be desirab1e for those having colds to use at frequent intervals mild cleansing douche or spray of salt so-
 Iution for the nose and throat, a very mild non-irritating antiseptic solution
 ouch as Dobell's solution or other mild antiseptic which your physician may recommend is of help.
 During the period of the present epidemic in New York 1t would be desirable even for the healthy to use the above mentioned treatment. Oral hygiene (sanitary care of the mouth) is most important in preserving good health. Natural Resistance Stronx
 ';As previously mentioned, a na- tural resistance against infantile par alysis is very high. Only a small per- centage of those exposed actually de- |vel0p the disease. For the occur renee of any disease in tho human be- ing two factors are necessary, first, lowered resistance from general poor health and second the actual intro- duction of the germ producing dis ease. Keep your children in the best possible condition. Keep. them free from little ailments, free from colds and bowel upset.
 Tt is understood now that close contact, especially for children iu crowds. pionics, theatres, or other meetings at this tane is most unde- drAble. Kissing should be avoided, of children especially. by those travel ing back and forth from New York. ''Children coming from New York should be kept away from other chil-
 drsn for . period of at least two weeks
 during, which time they DO oarsfully-
 observed and Dc givsn ruilA cleansing