The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-07-27
PREVENTION OF|NFANTILE
 PARALYSIS

To control the present epidemic of infantile paralysis, according to a statement issued by the United States Public Health Service to-day, the chain of infection between persons harboring germs of the disease and the we'll members of the community should be broken. Infantile paralysis is probably caused by a very minute organism found in the nasal, mouth and bowel discharges of those who have the disease or who are carriers of the germ without themselves suf- fering from the ailment. All of the steps in the spread of the infection are not known but if this germ can be prevented from passing from the infected to the we'll person, the dis ease will cease.
 Infantile paralysis is not a disease of recent origin. Sporadic or scatter ed cases have occurred throughout the country for many years but it is only during the last decade that the infection has assumed epidemic pro- portions in the United States. The present epidemic in New York City, on account of it's magnitude and viru- lence, has awakened the residents of many communities to the danger of the importation of the disease into their own midst This danger is real. but if due precautions are exercised it is believed that the epidemic will subside.
 The actual control of the present epidemic must be left to the city. State and Federal health authorities. These organizations will properly quarantine and care for affected per sons, prescribe sanitary measures and limit as may be necessary the travel of individuals in order to protect neighboring districts from the infec- ton. Individuals and communities, however, can do much toward their own protection.
 Poliomyelitis is probably spread di- rectly or indirectly, through the me dium of infective secretions. Ac- count must therefore be taken by communities of every means by which such secretions are disseminated. Promiscuous expectoration should be controlled. The common drinking cup affords a method for the inter- change of material of this nature and should therefore be abolished. Rigid cleanliness of glasses and utensils at soda fountains, in saloons and other public places should be enforced. Flies, reaches and other vermin, by coming in contact with infective se- cretions! may possibly convey them to our food and thus directly bring about the development of disease. There fore eliminate insects. Street and house dust bear a definite relation to the spread of many infections and it is not. unreasonable to presume that they may be factor in the dissemin, ation of infantile paralysis. Main tain strict cleanliness 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 other perishable products. Digestive troubles of children rising from the indigestion of food of questionable quality may lower resistance. As- semblies of children in infected local ities are to be discouraged, if not ac- tually forbidden. While the above measures are in a sense general, and applicable to many epidemic diseses, their importnce should not be oaver- looked.
 Individul preventive measures may be thus summarized:
 Summon a physician at once and' immediately notify the health officer of the presence of the disease. If the disease is present in the commun- ity, medical aid should be sought whenever a child is sick no matter how light the illness; many cases of of infanti1e paralysis begin with a slight indisposition. Should the ill., ness prove to be infantile paralysis isolate the patient. place a competent person in charge, and reduce all com munication with the sick room to a minimum. Hospital care is prefer able, not only for the child but in or. der to better safeguard against the spread of the disease. The sick room should be well ventilated and screen ed. Nasal and mouth secretions in cloths, placed in paper bag, and burned. The clothing of the child. the bed linen, and the secretions should be disinfected in the same manner as for typhoid fever. that is by boiling. the long continued appli- cation of 5 per cent. carbolic, or oth- CT well recognized disinfectant. The same is true for dishes and drinking vessels Nurses should exercise the same precautions as regards cleanH- ness of hands in caring for infantile paralysis patients as for those afflict- ed with other infectious diseases A child may convey the disease to others even after lapse of several weeks. For this reason quarantine should be maintained for Q conaid- erable period, usually from six to eight weeks, and the above precau- ttions should be adhered to during this time. Disinfection of the room fol- lowing recovery is advisable.