The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-17
AVOID UNDUE ALARM,
HAVE CONSTANT CARE
Citizens to Look Out for
Own Property.
GREAT DANGER OF INACTIVITY
Persons In Making Complaint Should
First Ascertain Name of Owners of
Property-Doctors Arc Warned.

Chief Health Officer Levy's energy
only the men of the various depart
ments of the city government, but the
activities of citizens generally indi-
cate that there is most hearty CO.
operation with the Health Depart
ment in wardIng off disease, and in
heading off the dreaded infantile
paralysis, which is reaping such a
frightful harvest In New York.
DR.. Levy urges continued effort on
the part of the people. He warns
against the danger of cessation in the
battle against deadly germs. and in
emphasizing the importance of con-
unued endeavor. he says:
I'm the advice given the people Of
Richmond in connection with our pre-
paredness campaign against infantile
paralysis. l have emphasized the ne
cessity of not getting panicky as the
people In New York have done. OF
course, the situations are quite differ
ent, as New York is in the midst OF
serious epidemic. while IN Rich
mond We have not a single case. We
are fighting to keep the disease out
of Richmond and to prevent its spread
IL II actually gets here.
Avoid Undue Alarm.
I'm this campaign there Is every
reason why undue alarm, on the one
hand, and indifference and laziness.
on the other. should be avoided. Ow-
ing to the promptness with which the
Administrative Board responded to
the suggestions made by the Health
Department. our campaign was start
ed sooner than that of any city know
Of. except, perhaps. some In the I'M
mediate neighborhood of New York
city
Not only the AdmInaS&zaeAxs Board
the Mayor and the heads of the En-
cheering, Gas. Water and Street
Cleaning Departments, responded
promptly 10 that part OF our pre- pared
ness policy which related 10 their re-
spective departments.
Danger OF Inactivity.
81 feel that ] must now put most
emphatically before the people of
Richmond the danger of their becom-
ing lukewarm. We have today exact
ly the same reason for keeping at
was first taken up. While panic and
undue alarm are to be avoided, 1t is
even more important TO realize that
We have a powerful and treacherous
enemy to deal with. Wholesome fear
Of this enemy and appreciation of his
might must not be allowed to die out,
Otherwise the people are not going
to do their part.
We have work---lots OF work and
hard work--before US. Cleaning up
is important exceedingly important
but so are lot of other things
Constant Care Essential.
hof a least
months. proba bly, three. or even more.
before the weather gets cool enough
TO look for termination of the
danger for this year. Constant care
and watchfulness during this time Is
essential
Under the conditions now prevail
ing. the people OF the city are not CO.
ing to sanction any remissness on the
part OF any physician who delays re-
porting any case OF infantile paralysis
which comes under his care. However
the courts may view II. the people =
condemnation will fall heavily -on the
doctor who has any SUSPECTED case
under his care for several days be-
fore he arrives at a diagnosis and
who fails to notify the health depart
ment that he has such case,
Any citizen who has a complaint
as TO conditions OF an insanitary ma
assist the health department il he will
ascertain the owner of such lot be-
fore calling up the department. This
does not take much time in a single
instance. but where the health de-
partment with Its very small force of
sanitary officers, has 10 look up dozens
OF these each day, the loss Of time is
considerable.
Look Out For Own Property.
We want every property owner to
understand that we expect him to look
out for the condition of his property
without waiting for any notice. This
will facilitate our work tremendously.
Tenant must look out for cleanliness
of their houses and yards
Mothers are again urged to keep
their children out OF crowds, especial
~ out OF indoor crowds. They are
also urged to see that the nose and
mouth of every child Is kept clean;
that the child has plenty of sleep, is
kept out OF the hot sun and Is lightly
clothed and get proper food. Especial
~ important is it to see that the aby's
discharges are properly looked out
for, Failure to do this Is a constant
menace not only to other babies but
to the special baby itself"