The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1916-08-03
IREt ENfIoS OF f>FANTfLt.
PARALYSIS.

7
chain OF infection between persons
harborlnk germs Of the disease and
the sell members OF the community
xhosId he broken lnfantiie pa-aiy-
sis Is probably caused 0y a very
minute organism found IN the naxsl.
mouth and bowel discharges OF
thoss who have the disease or who
ere carriers Of ue germ without
themselves suffering from the all
ment. All OF the steps IN the spread
of the objection are not known but
Il this germ caa be prevented from
passing from he injected to the we'll
person, the disease will cease.
fnfantiie paralysis Is not dis
ease OF recent origin. Sporadic or
scattered cases have occurred
throughout the country for many
years but II Is only during the last
decade that the infection has as
sumed epidemic proportions tn the
United States. Tho present cpl
demic in New York City, on account
Iof Its magnitude and viruience, has
awakened the residents of many
communities TO the danger of the
importation OF the disease into their
midst. This danger Is real. but IL
due precautions are exercised II is
believe that epidemic win subside.
| The actual control of the present
epidemic must be left TO the city.
state and federal health authori-
ties. These organizations viii prop
erly quarantine and care for affect
ed persons. prescribe sanitary meas
lures and limit as may be necessary
the travel OF individuals in order to
protect neighboring districts from
infection. individuals and commun-
titles, however. can do much toward
their own protection.
Poliomyelitis Is probably spread
directly or indirectly, through the
medium Of infective secretions. Ac-
count must be taken by communities
of every means by which such secre-
tions are disseminated. Promiscu-
Gus expectoration should be con-.
troIled. The common drinking cup
affords . method of interchange of
material OF this nature. and should
therefore be abolished. Rigid clean
liness OF glasses and utensils at
lsoda fountains. in saloons and other
public places should be enforced.
Flies. reaches and other vermin, by
looming in contact with infective Sc
cretions. may possibly convey them
| to our food and thus directly bring
about the development of disease.
Therefore eliminate insects. Street
and house dust bear definite re-
lation to the spread of many infec-
tions aud it Is not unreasonable to
presume that they may be factor
I'm the dissemination of infantile
paralysis. Maintain strict cleanli-
ness of streets, yards and alleys In
order to prevent the breeding OF
insects and other vermin. See that
all garbage and waste are properly
cared for and collected at regular
| and frequent intervals, Guard all
food supplies, especially milk and
Iother perishable products. Digestive
troubles OF children arising from
THE indigestion of food of question
liable quality may lower resistance.
Assemblies of children in infected
localities are to be discouraged. If
/ not actually forbidden. While the
above measures are in sense gen.
eral, and applicable to many cpl
demic diseases, their Importance
should not be overlooked.
Individual preventive measures
may thus be- summarized:
Summon physician at once and
Immediately notify the health off
|cer OF the presence OF the disease. II
1.-THE disease is present in the COM
immunity medical aid should be sought
whenever a child Is sick no matter
how light the illness. many cases
|of infantile paralysis begin with
|slight indisposition. Should the Ill
mess prove to be infantife paralysis
isolate the patient. place competent
lperson in charge and reduce all CONF
|munication with the sick room TO a
minimum. Hospital care is prefer
liable. not only for the child but IN
order to better safegqard against the
ispread OF the disease. The sick room
Ishould be well ventilated and screen
led. Nasal and mouth secretions
ishoulu be received in cloths. placed
lin a paper bag and burned, The
clothing OF the child. the bed linen
and the exeretions should be disin-
Ifected In the same manner as for
itxnba,a faxar that is hy hpiliuE. the