Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1916-08-02
What InfanhIe Paralysis Does

ed, paralysis begins to manifest itself,
most commonly in the legs or arms,
but in some cases affecting just the
face or organs of respiration.
Frames to hold the paralyzed limbs
in proper position are then tied on.
Some of these, made Of splints, and
plaster of paris, are to hold the par
alyzed extremity so that the good mus
cles will not draw up, for the weaker
opposing muscles have no power and
leave the child crippled with a twist
ed arm or leg.
Some Can Crawl About.
saw dozens or little fellows in
such frames, but there were some who
could crawl about in their cribs, be-
cause as yet, paralysis had not made
it's appearance. There was one little
5-year-old who called himself "Ikey,''
who was weeping bitterly until I asked
him his sorrow.
Il don't know nobody here" he
walled When I explained that he had
to be brave boy in the large family
in his room and help his mother
nurse with smiles, he forgot to cry
and became interested in tin soldier.
which he started on journey to Mex
leo.
Little Frances, with violet eyes and
heavy black lashes, sat with her feet
hanging over the side of the crib and
sang her dolly to sleep. Near by al
bed. I'm going home soon," she
said. "The doctor just told me I'm
all right"
eve had case here Of a child only
6 weeks DID," said Miss Anna Olsen,
one of the nurses. That's the young
est so far, but it has been transferred
to another hospital. Many of the
children now there have been brought
from Brooklyn and Long Island. 1t is
thought that if cases when discovered
are Immediately removed to a hospi-
tai the foci of infection will be taken
away, and gradually the epidemic can
be checked.
Feeding a Problem.
"In caring for the children one Of
the greatest problems seems to come
with mealtime, for nearly every child
has to be fed with a spoon, and the
individual feeding takes considerable
time. know found it difficult to por-
ton bits of bread and milk and suit
each child temperamentally so it want
ed to eat, but a smile was the most po-
tent aid in keeping a mouth from
trickling milk at the corners"
Children who have been undergoing
treatment for some time receive daily
massage or electrical stimulation.
When they are removed later, as.
planned, to a place where just orthop-
edic treatment is given, they will have
in addition, simple exercises. 1t is
hoped by these means to keep the per-
centage of cripples down.
A fund to purchase frames for the
children has already been started, Mrs
Daniel Guggenheim having cOntribut-
ed the first $500. Sums varying in
size from $40 down arrive in nearly
every mail, most of the gifts being
anonymous. The greatest need at
for domestic help.
what we want" he said, lis to get
some people here who can scrub.
floors. We have plenty of urses, as
they are all responding beautifully to-
the call, but we have to have just a
few cleanup people right away"
In answer to my question as to the
methods of curing the disease, DR..
Wilson answered: ITO tell the truth,
there is nothing definite. We are
working all the time, however, to try
and develop of a serum which will be
effective. We have great hope Of do
ing so before the epidemic is over.
Were working, and that's all we
can do