The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-08
.OR. LEVY DISCUSSES
INfAAIIlt PARALYSIS
Prompt Report I'm Case of Out
break Here.
SYMPTOMS or THE MALADY
A Single Unrcportod Case Might Work
IrTeparabie Injury-Carc Should
BE Taken That Children He Not
Exposed.

While the whole country sympa-
thizes with New York city in its pres
ent epidemic OF infantile paralysis it
is nevertheless somewhat fortunate
that 1t is New York city which as thus
afflicted. as every happening In that
metropolis becomes promptly known
TO the rest Of the country, thus giving
other communities opportunity to pre-
pare, so Tar as 1t is possible, TO COM
bat such an epidemic.
According to Chief Health Officer
Levy, Richmond should now take
every precaution against an epidemic
OF this dread disease. Infantile
paralysis appears in epidemic form
from time TO time Very little is
u Is spread, but there are certain
fundamental principles which apply
TO all contagious diseases.
The most important Of these is pre-
venting contact between healthy In
divduals apdso those. who have the
disease or who are carriers.
lnfantile paralysis Is terrihcally sud
den in its onset 1t affects especially
young children, but no age period is
immune. The early symptoms are
fever. restlessness, frequent vomiting
and pains IN the limbs Paralysis fire.
quently occurs within the frst twenty
four hours. and nearly always within
the first week. This paralysis most
commonly appears in the legs, next
in the arms, while all possible com
binations of both legs one arm, one
leg and the opposite arm, and so
forth, are common. Where death oc-
ours. this is usually due to paralysis
Of the muscles OF respiration.
d'recautions Detailed.
In the way of precautions the fol-
lowing measures are most important:
!. With the danger Of an epidemic,
every child showing any symptom OF
illness whatsoever should be prompt
~ put in a room by itself and a doc
tor sent for at once No visitors
should be allowed until the doctor is
positive that he is not dealing with a
case OF tnfantile paralysis
:. The bringing together OF chill
dren for any purpose should be
avoided Some of these children may
DO developing the disease or may be
carriers. and thus infect p large num-
Der of others.
3. No mother should allow her
baby to be taken out except by
person in whom she has complete
confidence that the baby will not be
A special danger is that children,
especially girls, naturally crowd
around a baby when 1t is resting in
its carriage. and even handle and kiss
It. Nothing could be more dangerous
than this M such times
4. Everything tending to improve
the general health should be done on
general principles. but, unfortunately.
! infantile paralysis attacks the robust
child as we'll as the weakling. Never
theiess keeping up the general health
/ Is always desirable
/ 8. Special attention should be paid
10 cleanliness OF the mouth and nose
While We do not know positively how
the contagion gains entrance to the
body. 1t is in all likelihood through
the nose or mouth.
VIII Keep Public Advised
Should cases OF infantile paralysis
appear in this city, the Richmond
Health Department will keep the pub
lie posted as 10 their number and To-
cation. In order to do this. the I'M
mediate reporting of every case by
the physician IN attendance Is the
utmost Importance.
Chief Health Officer Levy is notify
Ing every physician that, In view OF
the damage which may be done by a
single unreported case, the Richmond
Health Department expects every
physician to report every case in his
practice. or every case which he sus-
poets without any delay. and so i'm
portant is this that any physician who
falls to comply with the law In this
respect will he promptly reported to
Police Court and the case against him
vigorously pressed,