The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-08-16
Evening Chat

In all the investigatiYe scramble to |
solve the problem Of the diffusion OF
noljomyelitis, there Is one possible
source that seems to have been On.
tirely ignored, or, II it has received
the attention Of those who are max
ing an intensive study Of the disease.
the result has had little, II any pub
licity. 1t is only by the elimination
of possibilities, that we can hope TO
arrive any where In this particular
case, and one possibility which surely
deserves attention Is ever present
with us In that common neighborhood
scavanger, the English sparrow.
Even the rat, which is the dreaded
and recognized carrier Of bubonic
plague, has not one chance to carrg
and transmit a disease, where the
sparrow would have hundred.
1t has been proven over and over
again that cases will occur where
there has been no possible exposure
nv human contact or carriage in any
way. 1t strikes apparently, out Of
the blue sky, and out of the blue sky
It NAV indeed be borne on the wings
Of this pest. The inexplicable appear
ance OF polIomyelIts in unin1ected
districts, miles from any similar ca
SEES, dispense with any suspicion OF
the cat and dog. However the spar
row is every where; throughout the
entire country, no home in rural. or
CITY districts, escapes the visiations
of this bird. 1t passes free as air
from contaminated homes and dis
tricts to those innocent Of disease;
next to our typhoidbearing house n.y.
it is the commonest Of all our living
torments, Those who have made the
sparrow a subject of bird study, clAim
that they exist in aocks; one flock
making restricted neighborhood
their lifetime home, this may be true
to large degree but the continual
war waged on these birds must drive
large numbers from place to place,
besides the strays which would leave
for other reasons.
The Literary Digest, number Oh
months ago, commented on inVeStiga'
ton In Pennsylvania, which develop
ed that fowls. in some parts OF that
state were afflicted with bonafide In
fantile paralysis. While this excited
discussion, it was not made evident
that there had been any attention
paid to the fact that birds might con-
tract and carry a like disease.
Physicians are almost positively
agreed that poliomyelitis enters the
system through the nose and throat.
In other words infection comes thru
inhalation. If this be true 1t bears
out this suspision Of the sparrow for
his body refuse is everywhere. 1t
must be blown about in minute par
ticles by every wind, and inhaled to
a greater or lesser degree by every
breathing creature.
Surely from some such source as
this infantile paralysis must be DIFF
fused. No matter how rigid the san
itary conditions, no matter how care
ful the det-beyond all possible hui
man precautions this terrible aflic-
ton enters toEmaim or destroy, and
no remote possibility should be over
looked, no smallest stone left unturn'
ed in the search for the cause, trans:
mission and cure OF such dreadful
malady.
The B. & o. depot is in need Of q
thorough housekeeping. To the
stranger passing through, 1t does not
offer an inviting spot to pass the
time. The restrooms are dreary pla-
ces containing but few uncomtorta'
ble chairs. The ladies room contains
large round table which occupies
more space than is necessary. In case
of sudden sickness, there is only a
much worn davenport to serve as bed.
The toilet convenienCes are very I'M
attractive-their worst feature being
uncleanliness. To those in Fairmont
who are influential in bringing about
city improvements, visit to our de-
pot is urged.
The gardens about the city are do
ing well in spite Of much needed rain
The man with the hose Is not worry
ing but stands each evening with his
paper in one hand and his hose IN
the other.
Carrots have grown exceptionally
we'll this summer. We've even had a
carrot pie
The locust with W for war on his
wings sings all day now. Just at this
time of the year, insect and bird
sounds never cease. We have the
birds and locusts all day, and crickets
and frogs most Of the night. We are
living in the atmosphere of sound that
we unconsCiously look forward tol
each year and which we miss during
the quiet months.
At the Traction office the other day
a small boy much bored with sur
roundings suddenly discovered the
huge gum and weighing machine at
one side of the room, and after much |
argument succeeded in obtaining one
very important penny. For a long
time he stood undecided; but finally |
daDosited his Denny in the gum slot. |