New-York tribune., 1916-07-12
PLAGUE BRINGS
TEARS TO MOTHERS
Continued from p" % !

small rooms Of a gloomy tenement.
Respiratory paralysis!' murmured the
doctor, in an aside as he picked the
little one up tenderly and carried II
down to the waiting ambulance which
took il TO the hospital, where an
other nurse took the baby in charge.
bathing il, taking its temperature, and
after thorough examination by the
attending physician, dressing it.
Poor little thing!" the doctr sighed.
at has lust about twelve hours. In
case like this there is nothing TO do,
but we're going TO makesa tight"
And that's the way with all the
nurses and doctors who are trying. TO
check the epidemic. They have for,
gotten what hours off are and spend
every moment with the children in an
effort to save them.
Many Parents Visitors.
Parents came streaming in all day,
most of them foreigners, talking main
/ ly with their hands, but all able to say
pleadingly, "My child" as they held
/ out a card which granted permission 10
visit. Each had 10 dress in scarlet
robe. with a hood, before entering a
ward. so as 70 guard against infection.
Almost breathless and shaking, most OF
them followed the nurse and asked,
"Oh, please, how is my Tony?" or soon
maybe you think my little girl she
come home?"
When they entered the cool white
wards, with electric fans TO supplement
the ftful breeze from the East River,
and saw the clean white tile floors and
the rows of spotless cribs, and the
pleasant faced, smilingly serious
nurses who moved from child to child,
they sighed in satisfaction. After a
little chat with their babies, or when
they had petted them and learned for
themselves that doctors and nurses
were in costant attendance, they start
ed for home, reassured. Many, thank
ing the nurses, told them hospitals
were not such bad places after all.
Each child in the hospital has its
own bed or crib, although Dr. Wilson
says he had 70 hurry out and buy every
one in the city TO meet the rush OF
cases. Those children who are well
enough have toys to play with, and
some of the rooms are bright with flow
ers sent by thoughtful persons.
Cleanliness First Essential.
The first essential in the treatment
of the disease is absolute cleanliness.
/ There is no set, definite course OF pro-
cedure in working for cure, as the
doctors frankly admit that they don't
know enough about II yet to say just
what is best TO do. Each child is pre-
scriped for separately.
Medicines are used only 70 keep down
the fever, and children are fed on an
ordinary normal diet suitable TO their
age Urotropin is used extensively be-
: e Afcfy ~ ia.
but the main course of treatment is
orthopedic in its nature. After the
vomiting fits and the fever or convul-
sions, which occur In the first stages
/ of the disease, have passed, paralysis
begins TO manifest itself, most common
/ ly in the legs or arms, but in some
cases affecting just the face or organs
of respiration.
Frames to hold the paralyzed limbs
! in proper position are then tied on.
/ Some of these, made of splints and
plaster of paris, are TO hold the para
/ lived extremity so that the good
muscles will not draw up, for the
weaker opposing muscles have no pow
er, and leave the child crippled with a
twisted arm or leg.
Some Can Crawl About.
saw dozens of little fellows in such
| frames, but there were some who could
crawl about in their cribs, because, as
! yet, paralysis had not made its appear
ance. There was one little five-year-
old who called himself "Ikey," and was
weeping bitterly until asked him his
sorrow.
IL don't know nobody here" he
walled. When | explained that he had
10 be brave boy in the large family
in his room and help his mother-nurse
| with snniles he forgot 10 cry and he