Evening star., 1916-07-10
Public Health Board Safe
guarding the Public Against
InfantiIe Paralysis.
MOVEMENT TO PREVENT
SPREAD FROM NEW YORK
Measures Considered With Refer
ence to Interstate Interests-Scru-
tiny of Persons Suspected.

Plans to safeguard against the spread
of the infantile paralysis epidemic
which is prevalent in New York are
being discussed this afternoon by the
general board of the public health serv-
Ice. These plans were suggested by
Dr. William c. Rucker, assistant sur
geon general, who has been investigat-
ing conditions in New York. and in tele-
graphic conference with the health au-
thorities throughout the United States
| to Surgeon General Rupert Blue.
1t is proposed that two general COM
prehensive measures be adopted to pre-
vent contagion: First close study Of
every person suspected of being a car
rier" of the disease, and, second,
thorough cleaning of every railroad car
leaving New York. 1t is not proposed
at this time to quarantine against per-
sons from New York, though this may
be done later. 1t Is, however. the in
tention of the public health service by the
most careful investiga ton of all suspect
ed persons to prevent infection being car
ried to other localities. Health authori-
ties in other states will be notified of the
destination of all persons believed to have
been exposed. who thus may become
Carriers"
Matter Subject Of Conference.
DR.. Rucker. who returned to Washing
ton from New York yesterday. declined
to discuss in further detail what will
be done by the public health service as
preventive measures in interstate
travel until after definite arrangements
have been made in the conference this
afternoon. Following this conference
the surgeon general is expected to make
an announcement of interest in all
states He advises that there is no need
for general alarm. and that appeal to
the state authorities for information
about all cases of infantile paralysis is
a precautionary measure.
If very extensive campaign is to he
carried out by the public health service
1t will be forced to ask Congress for
an emergency appropriation. Although
the service has a fund of 100000 to
suppress epidemics, the bill by which
this is provided specifies seven diseases.
and infantile paralysis is not Included
Leaders in Congress have individually
given assurance that If an appropria-
ton Is found necessary it will be voted
promptly.
Public health officials admit that they
have a great deal to learn about tnfan-
tile paralysis. the peculiar conditions that
cause sporadic cases to develop into an
Epidemic and easier methods of detect
ing the disease in early stages. They
feel that with sufficient funds at this
time they will be able to study the
New York epidemic thoroughly and get
much valua BILE information that will en-
able them to prevent similar outbreaks
in other states.
Red Cross Ready to Help.
The American Red Cross is ready to
give the health board of New York all
the assistance that may be asked from
the registered nursing service. Miss
Jane Delano is ready to go to New York
and direct the work Of the Red Cross
nurses as soon as the local authorities
desire such service, but the latest ad-
vices she has received are that the New
York officials believe they will be able
to cope with the situation. Miss Delano
said today that the Red Cross has 1000
nurses registered and that as many as
are found necessary will promptly give
their services in New York.