New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-11
AFTER CARE OF POLIOMYELTTIS
What Has Been Done and What Remains
To Be Done for Crippled Children

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Nav beg Of you space enough TO tell
something of what has been done for the
children of New York City who have been left
paralyzed by the recent epidemic of infantile
paralysis? The number of new cases has now
dropped back TO normal and nearly all the
children have been dismissed from quaran-
tine.
From June / 70 November "a 9,0SS little
chldren-s5 per cent of them were under SIX
wears Of age-were stricken in New York City
alone. OF these 2430 died, leaving 6,65S sur
vfving. About 1900 were left without paraly-
sis. leaving approximately $3.50 in need Of
further treatment.
II may be interesting TO know what is now
being done for these little ones. Immediately
upon discharge from quarantine the Health
Department notifies the New YORK Commit
tee on After Care Of lnfantlle Paralysis
Cases and a nurse from one Of the cooperat-
ing societies calls at the home OF the child
II the child is not under treatment she urges
that it be put in the care of physician or
taken to a hospital or dispensary. As a re
suit of this prompt and systematic work two
thirds of those needing it are already under
care. No effort is being spared 70 see that
every child begins treatment and continues
i regularly.
The capacity Of the dispensaries has been
sorely taxed in some boroughs, but it is EVIL
dent now that this capacity will be adequate
The city itself can provide plentiful supply
Of beds for those who need hospital care
The city seems fairly committed TO providing
sufficient dispensary transportation so far as
il can be reduced to regular routes.
The one thing that We lack in order TO
carry through the thorough going plans OF
after care is enough money to keep the treat
ment and home care going regularly and
faithfully until the happy outcome of COM
pete recovery in every case possible. In con-
trast 70 previous years, now every case is
known, every case is being reached and all
the agencies are united.
II is gratifying 70 know that many children
are making splendid progress toward recov-
cry. but in other cases it will take a year, two
years, or longer. And for some there is the
added necessity of training them for the life
of cripple.
In only small proportion of the cases can
the families pay for expert care through the
long period necessary 10 full recovery. No
memorial 70 a child that we have lost could
be more beautiful than gift that would care
for and train 100 or 1000 Of these little ones
Il cannot be that so great and so promising
an undertaking can anguish in our great
city for lack of funds.
Almost sl25,o0o has been contributed TO a
central fund for this purpose, but twice as
much Is needed to see the work through the
first year. This money will be placed in the
hands Of q board of trustees, consisting OF
William Church Osborn, Robert W. de Forest
Alfred T. White, John T. Pratt. and the chair
man ex-offcio Of the committee on after care.
Contributions may be sent to James Ii.
Perkins, treasurer 66 Wall Street.
THOMAS ]. RILEY,
Chairman New York Committee on After Care
of Infantile Paralysis Cases.
New York, Dec. I, 1916.