The Topeka state journal., 1916-07-19
No Reason for Infantile Scare
Now, Is Discovery.
Reports for This Summer Are
Below the Average.
10 TO 30 YEARLY SINCE 1910
But Never Before Has an Epi-
demic Been Feared.
Situation in East Is Cause of
New Concern.

Infantile paralysis is :. matter of
less concern this year than during
any season in seven years, so far as
Kansas is concerned. That was the
statement today of DR.. S. j. Crum-
bine, secretary of the state board of
health. The statement was based on
official reports of the last seven years
Seven cases this month and nine
cases since June 1 is the states record
for the year. Reports of the last two
weeks have been slightly above nor
mai for this season or the year. but
returns for the summer are below the
average. In June-several weeks be-
fore the big scare in New York-two
cases of infantile paralysis were re-
ported in Kansas. The matter occa-
stoned such slight concern that no
special mention was made of the dis
ease in the June reports.
Since 1910, the state has averaged
from ten to thirty cases of infantile
paralysis year. During none of these
years has the disease assumed the pro-
portions of an epidemic. All cases
were in widely separated communi-
Ties ana no trace was shown of distri-
button of the disease through contact.
conditions In the state since 1910 have
been similar to those now facing the
state board of health. Because there
was no general alarm concerning the
spread of the disease, the situation oc-N
casioned only passing concern in Kan
sas.
Epidemic i'm 19O9-1O
In 1903 and 1910, conditions in KAN
sas were similar to epidemic form.
Doctor Crum bine stated. During those
years several cases were reported from
local communities and there was evi-
dence of spread of the disease
1 through contact. No such conditions
exist in the state at this time.
/ Records since 1910 have shown an
average of from ten to thirty cases a
I IL l-1w.
| ties" said Doctor Crumbine. "Condi-
tons this year are no worse than in
former seasons. only a more general
concern is felt because of the situation
| facing large cities in other states Og
course if the record of the last two
weeks should continue during the
summer, the record for the year would
probably be above normal. But there
is nothing to indicate that such a con-
dition will be presented"
In event the state should face an
epidemic, 1t might be necessary to RELY
on private contributions to fight the
disease. There is a very limited sup
ply of money available for use by the
state board. Recent legislatures have
gwen far more attention to the health
of cattle. hogs and horses than to the
health of Kansas babies
Cut Off the Fund
During the 1913 legislature a DEM
ocrat ways and means committee cut
off the state boards contingent fund
of $4,000 a year The Republican
legislature of 1915 showed an equal
/ lack of concern in health conditions.
Although DIR. Crumbine pleaded with
the ways and means committee for
the restoration of his contingent fund.
the law makers were pledged to strict
economy and refused to provide the
! money. The same legislature also
| held up an emergency appropriation
for the state tuberculosis sanitariunis
and for nearly TWO months delayed
the opening of the state institution.
! The same law makers, almost with
out consideration or debate, voted
I $4,000 for immediate use in fighting
/ the foot and mouth disease among
| cattle and provided that the state
might issue bonds in an additional
amount of $3.50, 0,00O-an even quarter
of million-for stamping out the
| disease. The ways and means COM
mittee laughed when Dr. Crunbfne
suggested fund for fighting a pos
sible epidemic such as infantile pa
ralysis or other dread diseases.