Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-11
ATTEMPTING TO TRACE
ORIGIN OF EPIDEMIC
e'ate Health Officials Handicapped
by Small Force and made.
quate Means.
FIVE NEW CASES REPORTED
Epidemic Of Infantile Paralysis In
valley OF Virginia Has Already
caused Several Dcaths-General
Warning Is Issued.

Handicapped By small force and in
adequate means. the State Department
OF Health is with difficulty endeavor-
Ing to trace the origin and prevent
The spread Of the infantiIe paralysis
epidemic, which has appeared in the
Shenandoah Valley. Five new cases Of
the disease. one resulting fatally, wore
reported yesterday.
DR.. Ennion G.. Williams, OF the State
Department of Health. has his inspec-
TORS on the ground, and the State Of
hcers have had the cooperation from
Federal health expert. The cases
are unmistakaly those of polohyeletis.
without adequate financial means Of
Graduating the disease, the depart
ment is asking all persons in the State
TO cooperate in reducing the risk to
minimum.
One new case was reported yester-
day from Shenandoah County. this be-
ing the first from that county. An
other new case was at Front Royal,
warren County. were the victim died.
other cases have been reported re-
Gently from Albemarle. Augusta, Page,
Nine cases alone were reported from
Rockingham County. where two vic
Tins have died. Many other counties
are now auarantined u prevent the
malady from reaching them.
WARNING SENT OUT
BY STATE HEALTH BOARD
In letter sent ont yesterday to
thousands Of influential citizens and to
local and country officials. the State
Department of Health asks CO. opera
lion from all persons. The letter fol-
lows:
How serious the present outbreak
may be We cannot at this time tell
HOW wide the disease may spread
none can foresee. But after the ter
rtble experience of New York last
year In dealing with the scourEe, It
would be criminal for US not to take
the maximum precautions Immediately
In every city and town in Virginia.
AS the germs have been found in
the secretions from the nose and mouth
OF the sick as we'll as healthy carriers.
We can be certain Of some OF the steps
that must be taken to keep infantile
paralysis from sweeping the State To
prevent the spread Of the disease Il is
necessary:
u. To have a sewerage system with
winch all houses are connected. or TO
haVc dry closets at every home SO con-
structed and kept that they are not ac-
cfssiole to dies, and animals.
Premises should be kept clean TO
prevent the breeding OF flies. Garbage
should be removed regularly. Erots
should be made to destroy flies nv
swattins. poisons. fly paper and e.pe-
ciaiiy by the use OF large traps"
3. Common drinking cups must he
prohibited in the schools and other pub
Ito places, including soda fountains.
stores. hotels and restaurants.
=. All food supplies should be pro-
tected from files. especially those sup
pics eaten without cooking.
.. children should be made to avoid
close contact. They should be taurht
TO cover their noses and mouths or
turn their faces downward when courb
Ing or sneezinS. and to avoid putting
their fingers into their mouths
D. There should be in every town
medical health officer to see that every
case or suspected case is promptlv re-
ported and proper quarantine observed
mere should also be a sanitary omcer
or sergeant who may not be a nIvst
clan who should see that tho s,ntt,
priVy laws and the laws regarding
cleanliness OF the premises, removal Of
garbage and the screening of food SIM
pies and other laws are properIv on
forced"