Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-08-02
ISFANrI,.E PARALYSIS.


I
eminent and local health authorities rec-
osnize the danger Of widespread con-
tasion' and many states and communities
are taking steps for its prevention. Many
states have already placed q quarantine
against children from states in which the
epidemic Is raging. The government has
Just made public the following bulletin as
to the prevention and control OF the dis
ease
T control the present epidemic OF in
fantile paralysis, according to statement
issued BY the United States Public Healt b
Service, the chain OF infection between
persons harboring germs OF the disease
and the well member OF the community
should be broken. Infantile paralysis is
probably caused by very minute organ
ism found in the nasal. mouth and bowel
| discharges Of those who have the disease
or who are carriers OF the germ without
themselves suffering from the ailment.
All OF the steps in the spread OF the in
lection are not known, but II this germ can
be prevented from passing from tie in
iected to the well person, the disease will
cease.
infantile paralysis is not a disease OF re-
cent origin. Sporadic or scattered cases
have occurred throughout the country for
many years, but II is only during the last
decade that the infection has assumed
epidemic proportions in the United States.
The present epidemic in New York city,
on account OF its magnitude and virulence,
bias awakened the residents OF many COM
| munities to the danger OF the importation
OF the disease into their own midst This
danger is real, but II due precautions are
exercised i, is believed that the epidemic
will subside
The actual control Of the present epide-
mic must be left to city, state and federal
health authorities. These organizations
will properly quarantine and care for at
fected persons, prescribe sanitary measures
aud limit as may be necessary the travel
OF individuals in order to protect neigh
boring districts from the infection. Indi-
v,dusls and communities, however, can do
much toward their own protection.
Poliomyeiitis, or infsntiie paralysis, is
probably spread .direetiy or indirectly,
through the medium OF infective secre-
,tons. Account must therefore be taken
BY communities OF every means by which
such secretions are disseminated Promis-
cuoos expectoration should be controlled
The common drrnking-cup should be
abolished. Rigid cleanliness OF glasses
and utensils at soda fountains, and OF her
public places should be enforced. Flies,
reaches and other vermin, by coming in
contact with infective secrctions, may
possibly convey them to our food and thus
directly bring about the development OF
disease. Therefore eliminate insects.
Street and house dust bear q definite
relation to the spread OF many infections,
and it is not unreasonable to presume that
they may be factor in the dissemination
OF iniantile paralysis. Maintain strict
cleanliness OF streets, yards and alleys IN
order to prevent the breeding OF insects
and other vermin. See that all gar bage
and waste are properly cared for and col
lected at regular and frequent intervals
Guard all food supplies, especially milk
and other perishs BILE products.
Digestive trouoi OF children arising
from the ingestion OF food OF question: BILE
s'-ns ~-' -
discouraged, II not actually forbidden.
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ness; many cases oi in'an'ne 's's
begin with slight indisposition. should
thu illness prove to be infantile paralysis,
$500. ~. ,~.,,s,, n,aca a comnstsnt mar
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