Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-08
FnfdntiIe Paralysis
Victims in II Cities


Six cases Of infantIle paralysis re-
ported in Pennsylvania. state and mu-
nicipaI health authorities are striving to
prevent the advance of the disease to the
proportions OF epidemic. Beside the six
now stricken, one child is dead-3-year-old
Ralph Miller, son of Matthias Miller. of
Bethlehem. Two other children in Beth-
lehem. Morris Lefrand and John Donohitz,
are stricken.
CASES IN STATE
The 10-month-old son of Michael Stem
bach. Of Bridgeport, which lies directly
across the schuylkill from Norristown. In
Montgomery County, has been attacked by
infantile paralysis. In Pittsburgh. 4-year-
old James Platt, of 4834 I'd avenue. who
has been Ill since June 81, developed the
disease.
Two cases exist in this city and are being
isolated in the Philadelphia Hospital for
Contagious Diseases No new cases, now
ever, have developed here within the last
"a hours.
DR., Wilmer Krusen, head of the Phila-
delphia department of health, has expressed
confidence that with the cooperation of
the physicians of the city. he will be able
to prevent infantile paralysis, which mas
been so deadly In New York, from getting
foothold in this city.
State Commissioner of Health DR.. Samuel
G. Dixon came to the aid of the Philadel
phia health authorities and to those In
every city, town, borough and rural dis
trict in Pennsylvania, yesterday by estab-
fishing other measures to prevent infantile
paralysis from gaining foothold In this
State. The State Health Commissioner Will
mako close study of the disease and en-
deayor to obtain a serum for its cure. No
new cases were reported In this city yes
terday.
AS to the preparedness of the State de-
partment to cope with any possible epidemic
here elsewhere In the State, Doctor DIXON
said last night:
The Commissioner of Health of
Pennsylvania has the State laboratory
prepared for scientific investigation
should anterior polomyelitis become
an epidemic.
The object will be to learn what pro.
duces the disease and try to obtain a
serum for its cure.
Tents and nurses are ready to start
an emergency hospital II necessary.
Undue exposure of the dead will be
guarded by State rules and regulations
In fact, the machinery of the entire De-
partment of Health of the Common.
wealth Is ready TO go into action should
we be unfortunate enough to be az
1icted with the disease.
Oficers throughout the State have
been instructed to detain and deport
any cases of anterior pollomyelitis that
attempt to cross our borders.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES TAKEN.
Director Krusen, of the Philadelphia De-
partnent of Health and Charities, insti'
tuted measures to stop the spread or IN
fantile paralysis in this city. AT the same
time, he gave renewed assurances. that
there was no cause for alarm, despite two
cases Of the disease having developed here
IN the first six months OF this year."
be said, I'VE had five cases OF infantile
paralysis. There was no epidemic and
do not fear any now. We are prepared TO
meet any emergency. Unlike New York, we
have always treated infantie paralysis,
which here is a reportable Illness, as we
do other contagious diseases, by placarding
the houses. removing the patients TO the
Municipal Hospital when proper medical
treatment may not be obtainable in the
home. and establishing strict quarantine,
as in smallpox, where the case may be
treated at the home"
A conference of prominent physicians
representing the County Medical Society,
the Committee on Child Hygiene of the
Philadelphia Pedrlatio Society and the Blu
reau of Health was held at City Hall yes
terday, at Director Krusen's invitation, TO
consider measures TO prevent the disease
spreading to this city, or TO control the
malady II 1t becomes epidemic.
The conference unanimously indorsed sug-
Iestions made by Dr. A. A. Cairns, chief |
medical inspector, Bureau OF Health who
went TO New York last Thursday to investi. |
gate cases and the health measures being |
taken there to stamp out the disease The |
medical inspectors recommendations were |
as follows:
In the event of cases developing in |
Philadelphia. they will be treated on the |
same lines as smallpox. Houses win be |
put under police quarantine, unless the |
patient goes to the Philadelphia Hospital |
for Contagious Diseases
Amy physician having In his practice a |
child presenting the appearance OF weak |
ness or paralysis of any extremity, to- |
gethsr with more or less pain and sore |
ness, with a previous history OF fever |
and vomiting, should notify the Bureau /
OF Health by telephone that he has a /
case suspicious OF having poliomyelitis. /
II the case Is secondary in the same fam
lily, he should call the special attention OF /
the chief medical inspector 70 that fact.
Cases should be isolated under the care
OF trained nurse or competent person Il
until diagnosis can be definitely fixed |
and then should be removed 10 the Phla-
delphia Hospital for Contagious Diseases.
Physicians should see that sufhclent
quantity OF cloths are provided so that /
discharges from the nose and throat can
be properly collected and placed In paper
bags and subsequently burned
The hands OF the nurse should be /
washed with soap and water and thor
oughly rlnsed after handling the patient
Some efficient dlsinfectant should be
used In very strong solution
The one taxing care OF the patient
should not prepare the food for the re-
nalnder Of the family.
Risidly exclude fiiss ana household
pets from the room occupied BY patient
Children usually manifest symptoms of
tbs disease ave q tee days after ex