Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-07-28
INFANTIIf PARALYSIS.

especially as 1t Is said that case OF
infantile paralysis escaped from the
Natchez Hospital this week, though
1T is believed the woman with the child
affected went toward Meridian, Miss.
Infantile Paralysis, though long sus-
pected, was not definitely shown to
be contagious until 1909. 1t has been
proven that the germ exists in the
nose and throat, and that undoubtedly
some well persons are Carriers"
Domestic animals, cats, dogs, etc..
are classed among the agencies which
may transmit. 1t is quite probable
that the so-called "distemper" which
at times attacks horses and dogs, is
caused by this same infection. Flies
may carry on their feet.
-
A study of epidemics of Infantile
Paralysis does not justify the present
wide spread alarm. In every large
city, likewise In rural regions, every
year . few cases develop. The alarm
ing epidemics in the past ten years
have occurred in New York City,
Buffalo, Kansas City, Los Angeles and
portions of Massachusetts, Vermont,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and in .
certain district in Texas. Records
show that while the disease may
spread considerably In places near
where it is epidemic, that points dist
ant have little reason to fear. There.
fore, there il no cause for q country
wide panic.
Infantile Paralysis 10 difiicult to con-
troll in the locality where it 10 epidsm-
ic, because there are always many
mild and unrecognizeI cases. When
an epidemic exists in any section the
number of cases reported from other
parts of the country 10 greater, prob
ably because attention 10 centsred on
the disease.
A noted authority gives the follow
ing Is good rules in times OF prevail
ence:
% Keep away from all persons
sick with the disease, suspected of
having it, or who have recently had 1t,
and all persons who have been recent
ly In contact with the disease.
(b) Keep away from the vicinity
of cases.
(c) Keep away from flies.
(d) Keep your premises clean.
(e) Keep the dust down.
~ Keep away from sick dogs and
cats.
Cd Keep in good health generally.
-
InfantiIe Paralysis.
The technical term for this disease,
Poliomyelitis, means Inflammation of
the gray matter of the spinal cord.
The syptoms of onset are by no
means the same. Authorities give Is
the commonest type Of beginning
symptoms:
Acute illness of An indefinite nature
lasting from two to three days, with
symptoms Of fever, disrrhoes, vomit.
ing and followed by paralysis. There
may be other symptoms present IS
cough, and undue restlessness. In .
small proportion of cases the nervous
affections are so prominent that they
suggest cerebral rather than spinal
The commonest com.
bination of symptoms are fever,
and cough with or without
difficulty in swallowing)
or fever, vomiting, cough and
The disease 10 transmitted through
contact from acute cases or well
While knowledge of the germ il not
1t is common sense to take
every precaution.
The physicians unite in advising:
Isolation OF patients.
Isolation of those who come In con.
tact with the patients.
Thorough disinfsction of all dis.
charges, of soiled bedding, towels, etc.
Prompt reporting of all cases or
cases.
In time OF an epidemic children
should be kept away from moving
picture shows, Sunday school and all
public gatherings.
Every child should be closely
and the advice of . physi-
clan had immediately. evan in casaa