Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-07-28

10 control the present epidemic of in
fantile paralysis, according to a statemen
issued by the United States Public Healt
Service, the chain of infection between
: persons harboring germs of the diseas
and the well members of the communit
should be broken. Infantile paralysis i
probably caused by very minute organ
ism found in the nasal. mouth and bowe
discharges of those who have the diseas,
or who are carriers of the germ withou
themselves suffering from the ailment AL
OF the steps in the spread of the infection
are not known. but if this germ can b.
prevented from passing from the infected
to the well person, the disease will cease
lnfantile paralysis is not a disease o.
recent origin. Sporadic or scattered case.
have occurred throughout the country fol-
many years, but it is only during the last
decade that the infection has assumed
epidemic proportions in the United States
The present epidemic in New York City
on account of its magnitude and virulence
has awakened the residents of many COM
munities to the dangers Of the importa-
ton OF the disease into their own midst
This danger is real but if due precautions
are exercised it is believed that the cpl
demic will subside.
The actual control of the present cpl
demic must be left to the city. State and
Federal health authorities These organi-
cations will properly quarantine and care
for affected persons. prescribe sanitary
measures and limit as may be necessary
the travel of individuals in order to pro-
tect neighboring districts from the infec-
ton. individuals and communities, how
ever. can do much toward their own pro-
lection.
Poliomyelitis is probably spread directly
or indirectly through the medium of infec-
tive secretions. Account must therefore
be taken by communities of every means
by which such secretions are disseminated.
PromiscuOus expectoration should be con-
trolled. The common drinking cup affords
method for the interchange Of material
of this nature and should therefore be
abolished Rigid cleanliness of glasses
and utensils at soda fountains, in saloons
and other public places should be enforced.
Flies, reaches and other vermin, by COM
ing in contact with infective secretiOns,
may possibly convey them to our food and
thus directly bring about the development
of disease. Therefore eliminate insects.
Street and house dust bear definite re-
latiOn to the spread of many infections,
and il is not unreasonable to presume that
they may be factor in the dissemination of
infantile paralysis. Maintain strict cleanli-
ness OF streets. yards and alleys in order to
prevent the breeding of insects and other
Vermin. See that all garbage and waste
are properly cared for and collected at
regular and frequent intervals. Guard all
food supplies. especially milk and other
perishable products. Digestive troubles #
children arising from the ingestion Of food
of questionable quality may lower ress-
lance. Assemblies Of children in infected
localities are to be discouraged, II not act
ually forbidden. While the above mea-
sures are in sense general. and applica-
BILE to many epidemic diseases their i'm
portance should not be overlooked.
Individual preventive measures may be
thus summarized: Summon physician at
once and Immediately notify the health
officer OF the presence of the disease. II
the disease is present in the community,
medical aid should be sought whenever
child is sick, no matter how light the ill
ness many cases of infantile paralysis
begin with slight indispostion. Should
the illness prove to be infantile paralysis
isolate the patient. place competent per
son in charge and reduce all communica-
ton with the sick room to minimum. Hos
pital care is preferable. not only for the
child but in order to better safeguard against
the spread OF the disease. The sick room
should be well ventilated and screened.
Nasal and mouth secretions should be re-
ceived in cloths. placed in paper bag and
burned. The clothing OF the child, the bed
linen and the excretions should be disin-
fected in the same manner as for typhoid
fever, that is by boiling. and long continued
application of per cent carbolic, or other
we'll recognized disinfectant. The same
is true for dishes and drinking vessels.
Nurses should exercise the same precau-
tons as regards cleanliness of hands in
caring for infantile- paralysis patients as
for those afflicted with other infectious
diseases.
A child may convey the disease to others
even after a lapse Of several weeks. For
this reason quarantine should be main
tanned for considerable period. usually
six to eight weeks, and the above precau-
tons should be adhered to during this
time. Distinction of the room following
recovery is advisable
.