The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-02-21
INFANT PARALYSIS
GIVES NO WARNING
SIGN OF APPROACH
Slight Weakness in Limbs Often
Times Only symptom of Az.
tack Prevalent Older Ones Are
as Susceptible as Young.

Or. Maynard g. Harding. who has
made a thorough study OF the recent
epidemic of infantilc paralysis which
has been raging in New York City
gave an explanation OF the disease
last Monday az Rodey hall on the Uni
vcrsity campus. Many physicians Ind
others Interested In the subject at
tended the lecture. DIR. Harding sail
IN part:
Among the laity aud the nnedu-
Gated people u Is characterized a. a
mysterious disease dlsassociated dis
tinctly from az others. II h. consid-
cred supernatural in hat the belize
o. the general public Is that no one
has ooen able To discover It's cause.
the reason FOR IT, attack, or a cura.
Great worry and mystery predom.-
mates the average mind. The rcqi
things To he noticed and given atten-
tipn have been overlooked. n Is our
duty To Try To remove these things.
In the first place. the disease has
been misnamed. 10 Is not i%nfantis
paralysis for he Old are just as sus-
ceptible to is effects as are the young.
IL IL not "a local Infection a. il is Of
ten thought 10 be. but il a general
systematic maiadS. II Is a disease ot
Inflammation Of the splnnl cord.
During the recent epidemic in New
York ana h surrounding New Eng
land states, there appeared over "a
O00 distinct cases of ~infantilc paraly -
sis. OF these $4,000 cases. 5000 died
GS per cent OF the remaining 5000
were permanently paralyzed while the
! emaining 81 per cent totally recov-
cred. often times and mos, generally
there is not other symptoms OF IN"
Diseases attack other than u slight
wep.iHess evident in the limbs. There
Is no warning signs as To It's approach.
N"w York d n large city where
sanitary conditions are not the best
h. an ideal place tor an epidemic. The
disease Is a fast working type.
Early symptoms.
AZ h outset, there j. a Sigh.
fever. In twelve. twenty ~, OF
iorty-eipht hours later there is per
haps an avidence ~ weakening OF an
arm or leg. During this period there
IL no violent sickness or exceedingly
nigh fever The brain b. affected and
.f the case ls bad there is q laDored
respiration. when the lungs become
anocted death sets Boo very rapidly.
The incubation period Is generally
eight DAYS ur better say from ten 90
twelve. The reason tor the supposed
seriousness OF iufantllc paralysis rs
due 90 the fact that The damage Is
done before either the sickness is
apparent or a doctor Ia called Al the
| time when the sickness ls puticcably
| present there ls lsborrd breathing and
the whuge body of The person becomes
totally paraly1ed From ms point
the putieat begins eco regain. very
SLOWLY. use of his body until % AN die
appears except That part vitality ar
fectcd. Tho danger 30 Intensity ot
the disease is never ar bad a. Do sccma
tu oe.
Now for Its CAUSES. Doctor FlcN-
nor Of Rockefeller institute says that
IL D. caused by % hlterabic virus. si
fine that IL ls not possible tu distin-
Rulsh % even with tho aid of a high
powered microscope. The germs Dt
yiri have been grown in regular held
ln the same manner as typhoid oi
| other similar disease The virus b.
| visible however IN clumpoid forma
! ton. The Infection Is "a 90 a pu'
germ which is one part Of q lie cycle
of pus germs Doctor FicSncr SAYS
that this theory BE- not -o and is with.
out foundation.
DANCES of Ilic~.
The disease be- carried 100 q numhc'
OF WAYS. The virus il found in tho
nose and throat. n Be- transmitted
from nasal discharges which are given
on ana Infection occur through con.
tact This IL called ontac infection
nnd % rs perpetuatcd by the common