The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1916-07-28
lNFANTlLE PRRAL YSIS


SUSPECTED, was not definitely shown to
be contagious until 1909. 1t has been
proven that the germ exists In the
nose and throat, and that undoubted-
" some we'll persons are carriers"
Domestic animals, cats, dogs, etc., are
classed among the agencies which may
transmit. 1t is quite probable that
the so-called "distemper" which at
times attacks horses and dogs, Is
caused by the same infection. Flies
may carry on their feet.
A study of epidemics of Infantile
Paralysis does not justify the present
wide spread alarm. In every large
city, likewise in rural regions, every
year a few cases develop. The alarm
ing epidemics in the past ten years
have occurred in New York City, Buff
falo, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and
portions of Massachusetts,, Vermont,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and in a
certain district in Texas. Records
show that while the disease may
spread considerably in places near
where it is epidemic, that points dis
tant have little reason to fear. There
fore, there is no cause for country
wide panic.
Infantile Paralysis is difficult to
control in the locality where it is cpl
demic, because there are always many
mild and mrecognized cases. When
an epidemic exists in any section the
number of cases reported from other
parts of the country is preater, prob
ably because attention is conferred on
the disease.
A noted authority gives the follow
ing as good rules in time of preva-
lence:
(a) Keep away from all persons
sick with the disease, suspected of hav-
| ing it, or who have recently had it,
and all persons who have been recent
| ly in contact with the disease.
(b) Keep away from the vicinity Of
cases.
(c) Keep away from flies.
(d) Keep your premises clean.
(e) Keep the dust down.
(f) Keep away from sick dogs and
cats.
(g) Keep in good health generally.
The technical term for this disease,
Poliomyelitis, means inflammation of
the gray matter Of the spinal cord.
The symptoms of onset are by no
means the same. Authorities give as
the commonest type of beginning
symptoms:
Acute illness of an indefinite ma
ture lasting from two to three days,
with symptoms Of fever, diarrhea,
vomiting and followed by paralysis.
There are many other symptoms as
cough, and undue restlessness. In a
small proportion of cases the nervous
affections are so prominent that they
suggest cerebral rather than spinal
disturbance. The commonest combi-
nation of symptoms are fever, diar-
rhea and cough with or without
Idysphagia difficulty in swallowing)
or fever, vomiting, cough and diar-
lrhea.
The disease is transmitted through
contact from acute cases or we'll Scar
riers."
While knowledge of the germ is not
complete it is common sense TO take
every precautino.
The physicians unite in advising:
Isolation of patients.
Isolation of those who come in con-
tact with the patients.
Thorough disinfection of all dis.
charges, of soiled bedding, towels, etc.
Prompt reporting of all cases 0,
suspected cases.
In time Of an epidemic children
should be kept away from moving
picture shows, Sunday school and al
public gatherings.
Every child should be CLOSELY
watched, and the advice of physician
had Immediately, even in cases Of
slight illness.