Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-18
Health Talks, by Dr.. VIM. Brady
tCspyriEht. 1916. National Newspaper Service.
Aftercare of Infantile Paralysis.

The prevention OF deformity is the great pun.
pose in all treatment of infantile paralysis be-
cause the acute illness itself almost invarabl,
proceeds to spontaneous recovery.
One OF the important measures OF prevention
OF course, is recognition OF the nature ". IN.
illness at the earliest possible moment and thi,
immed.a lately condemns any foolish notion tina,
acute teVcrlsh illness IN child can be explained
as 'teethins. worms "a general cold or
"inds estion." Give the little patient the benefit
OF doubt by summoning the physician promptly
even though tho illness does not alarming
True economy is always fostered by having the
doctor at the onset Of any illness. matter
how trihing.
Rest is the most important remedy during
the teNerlsh or acute stage OF the attack-com-
plete rest in bed.
AS long tenderness remains. no massage
or electricity or active efforts on the part of
the patient will be advisable. The TENDERNESS.
is evidence OF the persistence of acute ,nr,an..
nation in the spinal cord. Rest, by the aid of
suitable splints, is the best remedy until all
tenderness has passed away.
Weakening OF a group of muscles is much
more comman than total loss Of the Use OF
muscles 1t is doubtful whether braces should
be applied to merely weakened muscles. Rather
the treatment should gradually strengthen the
weak muscles by judicious and patiently con.
Quoted active exercise. always stopping short
OF fatigue. Fatigue or weakened muscles is
detrimental to ultimate recovery of good func-
ton Massage, we'll active exercise. will
easily fatigue weakened muscles. and must
therefore. be carefully prescribed and SUPER
vsed by physician in every case. Parent,
make serious mistake in intrustima suc,,
treatment to the judgment of any one other
Spontaneous Improvement may be looked for
under Intelligent management. for period OF
perhaps two years Efforts should therefore
not relax within that period
Braces never cure paralysis. They arc some
times necessary TO conserve function OF muscles
prevent gradually increasing defor,niv
But braces are undesirable otherwise. A prac,
is more to be considered treatment than
is crutch for broken leg.
Muscle training is the sovereign remedy for
the restoration of function. We shall discuss
it in the next article on infantie paralysis.
Questions NJ Anxwer..
The T., the Whole T. and y. b. the T-You
will do a great favor IL you can include in
your columns a strong condemnation or the
practice of letting boys go in bathing at this
time OF year. before the water is really warmed
MRS e. w. S.
Answer.-Sorry, madam. but this column
strives exclude all such things. II mad a
couple of boys OF my own--and I'd give ten
swimming in April June December if they
wished, and I'd be glad to them doing It.
| The great trouble nowadays is that the boys
! are not permitted to go swimming early and
| often enough for their physical ~erare
Tight Shoes and Big Toe Joints.-Is there any
remedy whereby enlarged toe joint (great
toe) may be reduced? / think it was probably
caused by wearing tight shoes in the first place
aIISS r. a.
| Answer.--Not. only tight. but misshaped shoes
| The pointed toes, and the outward veering soles
| throw the great toe out Of alignment. tending
| to disiocate the Breat-toe joint. producing
| bunion. Wear broadly rounded soles. with
| shoes stand floor together the toes should
not be separated by fnger-bre when the
! heels are touching. Once n bunion Is established
| there is but surgery.