The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-08-10
BROOKINGs. SOUTH DAKOTA, AUGUST 1O. 1915
PREVENT INFANTILE PARALYSIS

To control the present epidemic of
infantile paralysis, according to a
statement issued by the United States
Public Health Service today, the chain
Of infection between persons h~arboring
germs of the disease and the well
members of the community should be
broken. I~nfantile paralysis is prob
ably caused by a very minute organ
ism found in the nasal. mouth and
bowel discharges of those who have
the disease 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 II this germ a be pre-
vented from passing from the infected
to the well person, the disease will
cease.
Infantile paralysis is not q disease
Of recent origin. Sporadic or scatter
ed cases have occurred throughout the
country for many years but 1t is only
during the last decade that the infec-
ton has assumed epidemic proper
tons in the United States. The pres
ent epidemic in New York City, on ac-
count Of its magnitude and virulence,
has awakened the residents of many
communities to the danger of the i'm
%portation of the disease into their W.
midst. This danger is real, but II due
precautions are exercised it Is believ-
ed that the epidemic will subside.
The actual control of the present
epidemic must be left to the city,
state or federal health authorities.
These organizations will properly
quarantine and care for affected per-
sons, prescribe sanitary measures and
limit as may be necessary the travel
Of individuals in order to protect
neighboring districts from the infec-
ton. Individuals and communities,
however, can do much toward their
own protection.
Polymelitis is probably spread d.
rectly or indirectly, through the med
ium of ~infective secretions. Account
must therefore be taken by communi-
ties Of every means by which such
secretions are disseminated. Promis-
cuous expectoration should be control
led. The common drinking cup affords
a method for the interchange Of ma
terial of this nature and should there
fore be abolished. Rigid cleanliness
Of glasses and utensils at soda foun-
tains, in saloons and other public
places should be enforced. Flies,
reaches and other vermin, by coming
in 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 a definite relation to the spread
of many infections and it is not un-
reasonable to presume that they may
be a factor in the dissemination Of in
faptile paralysis. Maintain strict
cleanliness of streets, yards AMI 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 fire.
Quent intervals. Guard all food sup
plies, especially milk and other perish
able products. Digestive troubles OF
children arising from the indigestion 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 gen.
eral, and applicable to many epidemic
ulSCdotS, luClI u Oiodiu NV
be overlooked.
be huS summarized:
Summon a physician at one and i'm
mediately notify the health officer Of
the presence of the disease. IL the dis
ease is present in the community,
medical aid should be sought when
ever a child is sick M matter how
light the illness; many cases of in
fantile paralysis begin with a slight
indisposition. Should the illness
prove to be ~infantile paralysis isolate
the patient, place a competent person
in charge, and reduce all communica-
ton with the sick room to a minimum.
Hospital 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 received
in cloths, placed in a paper bag, and
burned. The clothing of the child, the
bed linen, and the eXcretiOns should
be disinfected in the same manner as
for typhoid fever, that is by boiling,
the long continued application Of SO
carbolic, or other well recognized dis
infectant. The same is true for dishes
and drinking vessels. Nurses should
exercise the same precautions as re-
CARDS 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 maintained for a consider
able period, usually from six to eight
weeks, and the above precautions
should be adhered to during this time.
Distinction of the room following re-