The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-07-28
PREVENTION OF INFANTILE PA
RALYSIS.

statement issued by the United States
Public Health Service to-day, the enaih
of infection between persons haroor-
ing the germs of the disease and tne
well members Of the community should
be broken. Infantile paralysis IS prop
ably caused by very minute organ
ism found in the nasal, mouth ana
howell discharges of those who nave
the disease or who are carriers OF the
disease, but yet who are 1ree
from the ailment. All the steps IN the
spread of the infection are not known
but if this germ can be prevented from
nassing from the infected to the wen
person, the disease will cease.
Infantile paralysis is not disease
of recent origin. Sporadic or scat
tered cases have occurred throughout
the country for many years but IL is
only during the past decade that the
infection has assumed epidemic pro-
noritons in the United States. Inc
present epidemic in New York City,
on account of its magnitude and viru.
lence has awakened the residents OF
many communities to the danger OF
tba ;mportation of the disease into
their own midst. This danger is real,
hut il due precautions are exercised
II is believed that the epidemic VIII
subside.
The actual control of the present
epidemic must be left to the city, state
and federal health authorities. These
organizations will properly quaran-
fine and care for affected persons, pre-
scribe sanitary measures and limit as
NAV be necessary the travel OF indi-
viduals in order to protect neighpor-
ing districts from the infection. lndl-
viduals and communities, however, can
do much toward their own protection.
Poliomyelitis is probably spread d.
rectly or indirectly, through the medi-
um of infective secretions. Account
must be taken therefore by communi-
ties of every means by which secre-
tions are disseminated. Promiscuous
axnectoration should be controlled.
The common drinking cup affords a
method for the interchange Of materl-
al of this nature and should therefore
he 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 coming in con-
tact with infective secretions, may
nossibly convey them to our food and
thus directly bring about the develop
ment of disease. Therefore, eliminate
! insects. Street and house dust bear
definite relation to the spread OF
many infections and it is not unreas-
: enable to presume that they may be a
| factor in the dissemination OF intantlle
paralysis. Maintain strict cleanliness
7 of streets, yards and alleys in order to
prevent the breeding of insects and
other yermin..
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 of children arising from the
! indigestion of food of questionable
quality may lower resistance. AS
semblies of children in infected local.
a tiles are be discouraged, if not &C
5 tually forbidden. While the above
v measures are in a sense general, and
. applicable to many epidemic diseases,
1 their Importance should not be over
looked.
Individual preventive measures may
be thus summarized.
Summon a physician at once and
c Immediately notify the health officer
y of the presence of the disease. II the
e disease is present in the community
: medical aid should be sought whenev-
0 er child is sick, no matter how light
n the illness many cases OF infantlle
L paralysis begin with slight indispo'
: sition. Should the disease prove tc
! be infantile paralysis isolate the pa
u tent, place competent person II
: charge, and reduce all communication
q with the sick room to minimum
+ Hospital care is preferable, not only
e for the child but in order to safe
: guard against the spread of the dis
L ease. The sick room should be wei
/ ventilated and screened. Nasal anC
y mouth secretions should be received
! in cloths, placed in paper bag ant
!; burned. The clothing of the child
I, the bed linen, and the excretions should
!, be disinfected in the same manner al
q for typhoid fever, that is by boiling
d the long continued application ola
J; per cent carbolic acid, or Their well rec
X ognized disinfectant. The same il
!; true for dishes and drinking vessels
4 Nurses should exercise the same pre-
IS CO tons as regards cleanliness of tn
5 HAMS in caring for il fantile paraly
ID sis patients as for those afflicted witt
D. other infectious diseases.
III A child may convey the disease +
IS others even after the lapse Of severa
weeks. For this reason quarantin
should be maintained for consider
able period, usually from six to eigh
weeks, and the above precaution
y should be adhered to curing the time
y Distinction of the room following re
- eovery is advisable.
S.