Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-30

there is no SPECIFIC FORM Of therapy by which
paralysis can be prevented OF by means OF
which resolution OF the inaammatory process
may be hastened.
The problem OF treatment. therefore. con.
s!sts principally in preventing tho spread OF
the disease In other persons. in giving such
remedies as have been known to procure relief
and IN attempting the restoration of muscular
power and the prevention OF detormities.
The general treatment is the same as for
other infections, such as scarlet fever. A great
difficulty In treatment Is due to the intense
pain which the children suffer whenever
moved Not intrequently this pain ia 80 great
that they develop q great dread OF being
touched and cry out long before they are hurt.
In patients with spontaneous pain the
weight OF the bedclothes may be sutYiclen, 10
cause discomfort. and cradle TO raise them
on their limbs Ia often relief Wrapping
the limb in cottonwood blankets and
hot water bags is q great comfort.
sudden change from a warm Summer
by acute attacks In the patient. The hospital
Waro Is therefore kept at warm temperature
Wnen the acute disease has passed away and
oeLofm1ties have begun to make their appear.
treatment. Massage Is helpful aid in the treat
nent Heat. and especially baking, exert a
sooa influence on the circulation. OF all the
netnoos. by far the most valuable one is muscle
framing which can be done with a largo
variety OF ingenious apparatus
The direct contagiousness OF nfantile
paralysis and its dissemination by healthy as
wef as sick persons are definitely established
therefore the maintenance Of strict quarantine
is essential to the safety Of our children.
LIT. FleXner has given the following useful
suggestions for the protection OF the children
during the present epidemic.
Il
sssretions OF the nose and throat from one
person who may be infected to other per.
sons who may not be.
Since the disease attacks by preference
Young children and infants whose nasal and
buccal (mouth) secretions are wiped away by
mother or nurse. the fingers of these persons
readily become contaminated. The care Of
other children by persons with contaminated
myers may. therefore, lead to the conveying
OF the infectious micro-organism indirectly
from the sick to the healthy.
Ihls danger also exists In connection with
vendors OF food which is eaten uncooked. The
OF vendors Of food Is. therefore. potential
source Of danger.
"2-Since the discharges from the intestines
carry the infectious microorganism. they are
also potential sources Of infection.
Files also often collect about the nose and
mouth Of patients III OF poliomyelitis unless
protected by screens. These flies also become
contaminated and may serve to spread the In.
.. THE infectious agent enters the body chiefly,
II not exclusively. through the mucous mem.
hranes OF the nose and throat
:. "Prophylaxis involves isolation OF the acutely
ILL., proper care and destruction OF tho contain.
mated discharges, supervision Of persons s
contact with the acutely III: and Of vendors Of
food, exclusion OF all flies and general sanitary
control ps%fte personnel and habjtatlons or
families q which the disease exists.
"Realthy, robust children are 'sub,ect 70 the
mseaee3n greater degree perhaps than delicate
children"
Most Interesting was-pr. rlnrner's deser,p.
ton ofhow his colleagues found that the virus
UP the nerve Of smell from the nose This was
one q the discoveries resulting from the famous
experiments upon monkeys. Portions Of the
e spinaa cord OF injected human beings conveyed
aeF "isease 10 the monkeys. An autopsy on