Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-12


city Of New York is struggling with
one o! tho worst cpidcmics OF infan-
tile paralysis that has ever occurred
in this country. and the whole OF New
York state IL alarmed over the posi-
bility of its spread Children are be-
ing excluded from moving picture
shows. Sunday schools and many other
schools are being closed, aud all gath
"rinSs OF children are permitted only
under the most careful medical super
vision Although not as widespread
SO far as the epiacmir which occurred
IN 1907 and 1908. this one * more dead
~. over 25 per cent OF the victims
nave died, although heretofore the per-
centaHe OF mortality has never been
above hfteen aud generally much low
The tcrrors Of infant,le paralysis
or poliomyelitis. as IL is technically
termed. are greatly increased by the
mystery which surrounds the disease
and by It's rapid increase in recent
years II is II specific infection and
INC organism causing II has been iso-
lated and studied ~ is also known
that the disease is communicable hut
INC means by which the germs arc con-
NcIch from ono person to another have
never been finally and certainly de-
tcrmincd. There seems to he no So
'lai or hyCieHic environment which Is
especially productive Of the disease II
strikes children OF all classes and all
ages between nine months and six
teen years. although the great majority
OF its victims are under the age OF
five years
II has been definitely established
ihat the germs OF the disease are
round IN tho mucous membrane OF the
nose and throat OF those who are in
foctcd. and IL is generally believed
hra ~
are communicated. either by means OF
1000 and drink or dust, or the air
The United states V'ublic Health Ser
vice believes that food and drink are
probably the media. Some doctors in
New YORK arc now strongly ADVOCATING
the dust theory. On the other hand.
n"nheys. which are used almost entire
~ Tor experimental work with this
discase. have been infected by the bite
or the stable fly. and thiR has given
rise 10 the theory that insects may be
the carriers Of this as thew ARE Of
:" man! other diseases. But IL has
never been proved that stable flies
we're IN any way connected with Inc
spread OF The disease among human
nrings Indeed tho fact that il seems
'" occur absolutely irrespective Of en-
vir"nncnt. except that each scnar,,c
eridcmi" is confined To n certain rc
s'oh' Is the mos; punzling thing about
Growth Is AppaIiinx.
me growth OF this disease In recent
Years has been appalling. and II no,
c"eched 'here ~ no tell!nx how serious
US ultimate effects may be. In the
period between 1850 and 1854 only
iwenty-thrce cases were reported I'm
The entire world while between 1905
ana 1909 more than 5000 cases were
reported. Most startling Of all over
".oo' "' these cases occurred In the
United States. Usually IN the case OF
disease which has sudden Increase
IN prevalence. the fact Is found to be
that il was simply not recognized
Garlic" This, however, does not apply
10 infantilc paralysis. which is prac-
ticaily unmistakable. The physicians
of this country are facing the rapid
spread OF a serious disease of which
lhev do not thoroughly understand
either the cause or the cure.
No serum has yet been developed
which will cure infantile paralysis. al
though The Rockefeller Institute is
working desperately 10 produce one.
y shortage Of monkeys. the animals
most easily infected with the disease.
IS hahdicapping this effort badly.
Neither has any specific drug cure been
; found for tho poison which this disease
generates. although hcxamcthylcna-
mine is uhcd, and accomplishes some
cures
Specifically. the disease attacks the
nerve centers. especially the spinal
! column. and causes nervous lcsions
throughout the body. Sometimes it
strikes tile head first. causing often Il
partial paralysis OF the face. In other
cases Il begins with the feet and legs
ana gradually asccnds to The trunk
This variety Of the disease Is mos,
apt to he fatal.
Drcnd 0f After Effects.
The worst phase OF Infantile pRraly.
| sis. however. lis the after effects. Al.
| though relatively small percentage OF
| those infected die. by far the greater
! number never fully recover. The arm.
or logs may remain paralyzcd. or som,
of the muscles may he affected. or tho
! development OF tho limbs prevented. II
| Is the cause OF All Immense number ul
uniformed bodies.
! In this regard the developments in
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and orthopedira
| promise u great deal Of relief The
| application OF electric currents TO the
| muscles when tho patient is con-
| vaicscent may anVc them from parnIy.
sis, and massage is NISo very bcncri-
| clal. 0rthnpcdic surgeons have done
! some remarkable work In this line
| The trahsplantation OF tendOns ts one
| Of the most remarkable repairs of the
human mechanism that science has
succeeded In making. IT, for example
| tho forh.musoles of the leg arc para.
lyzed. but some Of tho back muscles