The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1916-08-31
CLEANLINESS IS NECESSITY
State Health Bureau Tells of Measures
Which May Lessen Chance of Epi-
demic in Wisconsin-Each Citi-
zen Must Do His Part.

From the State Health Bureau at
Madison comes a most interesting let
ter regarding the prevention of infan-
tile paralysis in Wisconsin.
Such measures as can be taken to
lessen the chances of an epidemic such
as is devasting New York, are sug-
gested. The letter must be of intense
interest to every resident of Kenosha
who has child in his care. 1t follows:
To.avoid plague like the New York
| epidemic of infantile paralysis, it is
absolutely essential that the citizens
of Wisconsin institute the most thor
ough cleanup efforts in their history.
General cleanliness, not only in the
home, but in the surroundings of the
home and throughout the community
as a whole, must prevail absolutely.
I, 1t is shown in the City of New York
that household pets in the plague in
fected districts are dying eight times
as rapidly as are the household pets
in the non-infected districts. Careful
! laboratory examination Of these dead
animals does not show that the condi-
tions producing death in household
! pets have any relation to infantile
! paralysis in the human family. It
may be that death of household pets
in the infected districts is due to the
fact that every particle of garbage
and foodstuffs on which dogs and cats
frequently live is Immediately disposed
of, and therefore the element of star
| walton enters into the conditions af-
fecting such household pets
It is certain, however, that these
household pets can act as mechanical
carriers Of the disease, and therefore
children should not be allowed to have
such animals in districts infected with
infantile paralysis.
1t is equally important, also, that
every effort should be made to prevent
dust, either by frequent daily sprink-
ling of the streets, alleys and lawns,
or by the oiling of streets. Flies and
other forms of insect life should be
extelminated as completely as possible
as these pests also may act as mechani-
cal carriers, if not playing fac
tor in the indirect tranmission of
the disease.
These are the conclusions reached as
result of the conference of state
health officials from all but four states
of the Union with the federal officials
at Washington, and reported by DR.. G.
A. Harper, state health officer, as be-
ing absolutely essential in putting
check to this dreadful disease. Much
is felt by the state health authorities
who attended this conference over the
possibility of an outbreak of the
disease in epidemic form in the vari-
GUS states next year, if not this year.
They are on edge over the likelihood
OF the disease obtaining foothold
in the territory under their respective
jurisdiction, and are therefore outlin-
ing sanitary program of far greater
scope and more rigid enforcement than
any heretofore designed. This means
that garbage and various waste ma
terlal from the household should be
disposed of Immediately, either by be-
ing burned, buried, or enclosed in COW
cred receptacles. 1t means, also, that
bitches or pools of stagnant water
must be cleaned out by filing or proper
drainage installation. Dairy and horse
barns should be kept scrupulously
clean, and all refuse Immediately cover
ed or transmitted to places of safety.
1t was the consensus of opinion at
the conference that children under six
teen years of age should be forbidden
to attend public gatherings of every
kind, including fairs, picnics, parties,
and places of public. amusement, for
the time being at least. Baby con
tests, which are frequently held in the
autumn, should be absolutely prohi-
bited. Parents are advised to keep the
children in the open air, but away from
dusty places, flies and insects.
individuals afflicted with poliomyli-
tbs should be treated in hospitals when
it is possible. In New York City, ac-
cording to the statement of the Health
Commissioner DR.. Haven Emerson,
10000 children are housed in hospitals
for conditions other than infantile
paralysis. OF the nearly 1000 cases
of infantile paralysis in the City of
New York not single case has ap-
peared in the $4,000 children who are
having hospital care, showing that it
IS absolutely certain that the hygienic
conditions, general cleanliness, etc.,
about the hospitals, are factors which
prevent the Transmission of this disease.
The same condition is true in the
state of Pennsylvania.
1t is believed that schools in Wis
consin may be opened on schedule time
this year, unless the disease takes on