New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-11
TO AID VICTIMS OF THE EPIDEMIC
An Appeal by the Day Home and School
for Crippled Children.
70 the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: When the present alarming cpl
demic Of anterior poliomyelitis is over and
the acute cases are dismissed from the hos
pitfalls a new and difficult problem will present
itself-the preparation for the prolonged
chronic state that will follow. The child re-
turns to its home and the long and tedious
struggle against crippledom commences. Ac-
cordirg 10 all authorities, as we'll as my own
experience, the child's entire future depends
upon the care and treatment of the hrst year
Of convalescence.
The Department Of Health has issued the
following notice to the parents and guardians
of each child discharged as recovered: your
child is about to be discharged from the I'M
mediate care of the Department of Health,
there being no longer any danger of his or
her spreading the disease. While in the hos
pital much has been done 10 lessen the de-
formities. There remain, however, weak
nesses of With proper care this de-
formity will be greatly lessened. with
neglect it will tend to increase. You are
strongly advised to consult your family phy-
stefan, if he is skilled in the care of detormi-
ties, or visit the nearest one of the orthopedlc
ldispensaries in the city. In any case, place
your child under proper supervision for at
least a year, ss this tends TO lessen per-
manent disability; neglect may increase de-
formity."
This is all very we'll as far as it goes, and
at first the child will be brought with fair
lregularity-two, three, perhaps <our times
weekly to the clinic. But soon the mother
tires of the journey with the heavy, helpless
child, other duties intervene, household cares
and the other children demand attention.
With the slow response to treatment and the
lack of visible improvement the helplessness
of the situation soon dawns upon her.
The visits to the dispensary become ir-
regular, soon cease altogether, and the child
is only brought to the clinic when brace is
broken or the deformity becomes so exag-
gerated and the child so helpless that hope
of an operation for relief is entertained.
The ideal after treatment, and OF vital inn
portance after all acute symptoms have SUBJ
sided consists of prolonged rest in bed, with
the limb held in the physiologic position OF
the Joint; the application of scientific and
methodical treatment massage, vibration,
electricity, baths, ETC., followed by graded
exercise daily administered by trained at
tendants Needless TO say that Diet correct
habits, proper time for sleeping and eating
play their important part. Under these con-
ditions and with these methods chances for
recovery are immeasurably increased, al
though it must constantly be borne in mind
that restoration of lost muscular power and
function is a process which extends over a
long period Of time.
Scores of children in few weeks will be
returned to their homes. Where are they go
ling TO receive this ideal treatment?
The bringing of these little unfortunates to
the crowded dispensares, transferring from
one car to another, sitting around for hours
on crowded benches awaiting their turn, and
then dragged back to their unsanitary homes
IS an untold hardship. The poor, overburdenedI
mother takes up her neglected duties (usu-
ally an entire afternoon is taken up by visit
to the clinic). What wonder, then, If she is
too tired and discouraged to give the child
the warm bath and proper food she has
promised TO do. All the benefit derived from
the treatment is undone. The fatigue and
excitement of the journey have counteracted
and annihilated all that has been attempted.
The little victim of circumstances and en-
vironment sinks deeper and deeper into his
helplessness and crippledom and into his
dreary and unhappy future. | am afraid we
are sadly unprepared for the aftermath Of
this serious epidemic, which, far from dimin-
ishing, is still on the increase and will claim
many more victims before the cool weather
comes 10 our relief In view of the present
need, it is the intention of the directors of
the Day Home and School for Crippled Chill
dren to change and enlarge the scope of their
work-to keep open all the year the beautiful!
house at City Island, Pelham Bay Park, re-
Gently given them by the city officials, and