New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-23
INFANTILE PARALYSIS
IN ALL BOROUGHS


dav that DR.. Samuel Parnes Of the city
meteorological staff, will be stationed
at the Kingston Avenue Hospital, be-
ginning tomorrow, to draw blood from
former paralysis patients who wish 10
give il for the preparation OF immune
serum. His hours will be from TO D
in the afternoon. Persons who are un-
able TO visit the hospital during those
hours may have their blood drawn at
the Willard Parker Hospital, SiNteehth
Street and Avenue A, at any time DUR
ing the day. u,.,,.l
Twelve persons appeared at Willard
Parker Yesterday and offered olood:
DIR. Abraham Zingher found seven oil
them suitable, but drew blood from
but FIVE. Thirty-eight ounces we're ODD
tanned. A sixth man gave fourteen
ounces of normal blood, which VIII De
used by DR.. Zingher in the preparation
of normal blood serum, with wnleh eN-
periments are being made at the nos
pital. Il was announced also by the
department of Health that the names
Of eighty former paralysis Pauents
have boen given to Bellevue Hospital,
and musicians will endeavor to obtain
blood from them for the treatment OF
the infantile paralysis cases IN Belle
vue. Some of the children in that hos
pital already have been treated, with
good results.
Delafield Issues Appeal
Lewis l.. Delafeld. jr., who IS or
canizing a citizens committee 10
mobilize the blood of recovered paraly-
sis patients, issued an appeal for
funds yesterday.
"The statement that we have already
raised between $4,000 and $4,000 was
an error" said Mr.. Delaheld, While
II is true that some contributions have
been received. the committee has not
sufficient funds to properly carry on
the work. We will, however, begin
with what money we have. and nave
already arranged for a number OF au-
tomobiles. which will be used to con-
vev physicians TO the homes or ofhces
of persons desiring TO give blood. Con
tributions to the fund may be sent
to my Office"
Mr.. Delaheld also urged that bust
ness men and others owning automo-
biles lend them for the work. lie
pointed out that many owners OF cars
use their machines only in the even
ing. while others use them chiefly
to drive back and forth to their bust
ress addresses. These machines could
be used by the committee during the
hours when they are not being en-
ployed by their owners.
Mr.. Delafeld emphasized the fact
that no gerson suffering from infantlle
paralysis or other disease would be
Permitted to ride in one Of the Dor
rowed cars. They will be used solely
10 convey physicians to d-givers
and to carry to the hospitals former
paralysis victims who are unable TO
walk.
Numerous charges from variou
sources that many cases diagnosed as
infantile paralysis are In reality some
other disease. were answered by Com
missioner Emerson yesterday with an
explanation of the methods OF the di-
Of the Health Department.
Paralysis Often Elusive.
owe never diagnose case as a true
one" said the commissioner, unless
there is either paralysis present or
characteristic diagnostic proof IN the
spinal fluid. In many instances the
paralysis is Of brief duration and diff
fcult to detect. as it may be confined
to muscle or muscles which are
brought into play only under unusual
conditions. For instance, paralysis OF
a facial. muscle or a small group OF
facial muscles shows only when the
child is made to laugh or cry. There
is no other paralytic disease of chill
dren with which infantile paralysis
could very easily be confused.
"The diagnosticians of the depart
ment are men who have diagnosed in
fictitious diseases for many years, and
they are subjected to constant clinical
instruction. Daily clinics are held for
them by the chief diagnostician Of the
department. So far there have been
less than per cent Of errors. AS a
further measure, we have had the med
ical expert of the Department of Health
verify every death, and he has found
that 80 per cent Of them were due to
paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
That is so Characteristic of infantile
paralysis as TO wholly avoid confu-
sion"
1t was said at the Department Of
Health yesterday that. despite the in
fantile paralysis epidemic, fewer babies
died this year than Iast
Six reasons arr advanced for this
by the health authorities: Because
mothers have watched over their babies
with greater care; because houses have
been kept cleaner; because flies have
been swatted, starved and poisoned;