The Washington times., 1916-07-25
SANITATION MEANS
PARALYSIS CONTROL
]. S. Public Health Service
Urges Precautions Against
Spread of Infection.

According to a statement issued today
by the United States Public Health
Service. the control OF the present cpl
demic OF infantile paralysis must be ac-
complished through breaking the chain
Of infection between persons harborins
the germs Of the disease and the we'll
members of the community
The Health News" states that In
fantile paralysis Is caused by a germ
found In the excretions Of the body.
All the steps in the spread Of infection
are not known. II states. but II this
germ can be prevented from passing
from the infected to the we'll person,
the disease will cease.
The Public Health Service says:
Poliomyelitis is probably spread direct
~ or indirectly through the medium Of
infective secretions. Account must be
taken. therefore. by communities. of
every means by which such secretions
are disseminated. Promiscuous expec-
toration should be controlled.
Danger In Drinking Cups.
The common drinking cup anords a
method for the interchange OF material
OF this nature. and should therefore De
abolished. Rigid cleanliness OF giasses
and utensils at soda fountains in sa looms
and other public places should be en-
forced.
Files. reaches. and other vermin. py
coming in contact with injected secre-
tons. may possibly convey them TO our
food. and thus directly bring about the
development or tn disease
therefore, eliminate insects street
and house dust bears a definite relation
70 the spread Of many infections, ana
II Is not unreasonable to pres,Ime that
n factor In IA
OF infantile paralysis. Maintain strict
cleanliness OF streets. yards, and alleys
in order to prevent the breeding OF in
sects and other vermin.
properly cared for and collected fre-
quently. Guard all food supplies.
especially milk and other perishaoie
Keep Children Apart.
digestive troubles OF children, aris-
Ing from the indigestion OF food OF
Questionable quality may lower re-
sistance. Assemblies OF children in
injected locations are to be discour-
AGED fe :n II not lot actually forbidden"
should be summoned at once and the
health officer of the District should
be notified OF the disease. Hospital
care Is preferable. not only for the
fha PUT bor the persons who live in
In speaking OF the care Of the sick
child, the bulletin states that THE
sick room should be well ventilated
and screened.
Treatment During Illness.
Nasal and mouth secretions should
be placed In paper bags and burned.
The clothing OF the child. the bed linen.
and the .excretions should be disinefct-
ed In the same manner rs for typhoid
fever. that Is by boiling. the long con-
tinued application of per cent car
bolic acid, or other well recognized dis
infectant. The same Is true of dishes
and drinking vessels, Nurses should
exercise the same precautions ns re-
CARDS cleanliness of hands In caring for
infantile paralysis patients as for those
infected with other infectious diseases"
1t Is further stated that a strict 1uar-
antine should be maintained for a con-
siderable period, usually from six TO
eight weeks, and all precaution should
be maintained during this time, as a
child may convey the disease to others
after a lapse of several weeks.
Distinction of the room following
the recovery Of the patient ia also ad-
visable.