Evening journal., 1916-08-28
FAIR HAIRED BABIES
MAJORITY IN MALADY
Two Chicago Physicians Find
Them Most Sensitive TO
lnfantile Paralysis
MADE EXAMINATION
OF THIRTY CASES

That infantiie paralysis appeared 70
be more prevalent among fsir-haired
children than others, and that TO
prevent an epidemic complete isola-
ton Ia a hospital for three weeks is
necessary. are among some Of the
conclusions reached by two Chicago
physicians after careful study Of
30 cases in that city.
The physicians who engaged In this
study we're Archibald L. HOyne and
Frances p. Cepelka. attending and
resident physicians at the Cook Coun-
" Hospital. The results OF their
work are presented in the latest is
sue Of the Journal OF the American
Medical Association.
In referring 10 the fact that the
fair-haired children appeared to be
more sensitive TO attacks than others,
the physicians say:
at will be noted that the youngest
patient was months old and the cid
est fl years, and that there were but
two patients more than years old
sc 2-3 per cent OF the patients were
under years The sexes we're al
most equally divided, there being IA
boys and 16 girls. One point particu-
larly observed by us was the fact that
virtually all of the children were
fair-haired A few had light brown
hair, but they had blue eyes. There
was really but one dark complexioned
child In our series. and for some time
we regarded that one as a doubtful
case.
at would be interesting to know
whether infantlle paralysis shows
some special prediction for those Of
fair complexion or whether this was
an incident In our series. It's preva-
lence in Sweden and Norway would
further make us think that the fair
haired may show some special pre-
disposition"
In speaking Of the difficulty in OBJ
tanning a history Of the cases brought
to the hospital that we're in the SER
les studied the reports adds;
I'VE have been informed that in
nearly all cases there was some hts
tory of injury. In some of the latter
instances II was evident that the IN
Jury. usually a fall. occurred at the
time of the onset Of the paralysis.
Drowsiness was a common symptom
IN the carly stages. AS usual, our pa
tients we're not only we'll nourished.
but exceptionally robust infants and
children"
The routine treatment in this study
consisted OF warm bath on admis-
sion, the report states. and cleansing
eyes and nose with a 90 per cent. Of
argyrol solution. The patient was put
to bed and its limbs warmly covered
but few. n any bed clothes for the
body Electricity was not used and
no message until she acute symptoms
had disappeared Continuing, the re-
port said
During the disqualification every
effort must be made to see that the
surrounding are free from flies and
insects OF any nature. In view OF a
certain amount Of uncertainty in the
matter, It is well to be on the look
out for the bedbug as a possible car
rier Doctor FleXner has shown an
instance OF this in monkeys.
Another question that is a problem
is how long a time should a case of
acute infantile paralysis be quaran-
tined? A few years ago the Paris Acad-
envy OF Medicine recommended the iso-
lation Of convalescents and patients
/ for a period Of 3 months In Sweden it
is three weeks, while in accordance
with the regulations of the State
Board of Health OF Illinois ahe mini
mum period Of quarantine in Chicago
/ is FIVE weeks.
at Is interesting TO note that in our
small series Of cases there were no
deaths, whereas the mortality amOnr
New York cases Is high. apparently
exceeding 20 per cent. Statistics show
the average mortality TO be 1881 pei
cent; that Il Is lowest at five years
and highest "a from p to 30 years
I'm this connection II is we'll to re.
member that while the great major.
ity OF cases occur before the age oi
five years. recent statistics tend tC
indicate that the number Of case,
lover five years Is gradually increas
ing II must be borne IN mind tha
no age may be said 10 he exempt"
The physicians say that notwith
standing the dire results which fire.
! quently follow an attack Of infantil,
! paralysis the percentage of complet,
recovery is often high Statistics
] they say, show variation in this re
; spect ranging from Is TO 80 per cent