Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-07-27

StabSAuCAl AoouCu Wy LhO AAllCd OeolS'
public health service today, the chair
of infection between persons harbor
ing germs of the disease and the vel
members of the community should be
broken. Infantile paralysis is proba-
bly, caused by very minute organism
found in the nasal, mouth and bowel
discharges of those who have the dis
ease, or who are carriers of the germ
without themselves suffering from the
ailment All of the steps in the
spread of the infection are not known
but if this germ can be prevented from
passing from the infected to the well
person, the disease will cease.
Infantile paralysis is not disease of
Yrecent origin. Sporadic or scattered
cases have occurred throughout the
country for many years, but it is only
during the last decade that the in
lection has assumed epidemic proper
tions in the United States. The pres
ent epidemic in New cork City, on ac-
count of it's magnitude and virulence,
has awakened the residents of many
communities to the danger of the i'm
portation of the disease into their own
midst This danger is real but if due
precautions are exercised it is believed
that the epidemic will subside.
The actual control of the present
epidemic must be left to the city, state
and federal authorities. These organ.
izations will properly quarantine and
care for affected persons, prescribe
sanitary measures and limit as may be
necessary the travel of individuals in
order to protect neighboring districts
from the infection. Individuals anu
communities, however, can do much
toward their own protection
Poliomyelitis is probably spread di-
rectly or indirectly, through the med
ium of infective secretions. Account |
must, therefore, be taken by commun-
tiles of every means by which such |
secretions are disseminated Promis-
cuous expectoration should be con-
trolled. The common drinking cup af-
fords method for the interchange Of
material of this nature and should,
therefore, be abolished. Rigid cleanli |
ness of glasses and utensils at soda
fountains, in saloons and other public |
places should be enforced. Flies,
reaches and other yermin, by coming
il contact with infective secretions,
may possibly convey them to our food
and thus directly bring about the de-
velopment of disease. Therefore elm
mate insects. Street and house dust
bear definite relation to the spread
of many infections and it is not I'M
reasonable to presume that they may
be factor in the dissemination of in
fantile paralysis. Maintain strict
cleanliness of streets, yards and alleys
in order to prevent the breeding of in
sects and other vermin. See that all
garbage and waste are properly cared
for and collected at regular and fire.
qrent intervals. Guard all food sup
plies, especially milk and other perish
able products. Digestive troubles of
children arising from the ingestion Of
food of questionable quality may lower
resistance. Assemblies of children in
infected localities are to be discourag-
ed, if not actually forbidden. While
the above measures are in a sense
general and applicable to many cpl
demic diseases, their importance
should not be overlooked.
Individual protective measures may
thus be summarized.
Summon a physician at once and
Immediately notify the health officer
OF the presence of the disease. If the
disease is present in the community,
medical aid should be sought whenever
child is sick, no matter how light
the illness; many cases of infantile
Tho - Ox1oI Cofo