Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-15
keep CHILDREN At HOME,
Says State HEALTH BOARD
Public Warning Is Issued Against
Dangers Of Infantne
Paralysis.
NO QUARANTINE DECLARED
But Authorities Put Parents on No
tice That Children Under Twelve
Should Not Be Allowed to Travel
PrOmiscuously.

To reduce the dangers of wide
spread outbreak of infantile paralysis,
the State Board of Health yesterday is
sued public warning to parents
against permitting children under
twelve years of age to travel promis-
cuously in the State. No quarantine
has yet been declared nor is the warn
Ing to parents Il formal sanitary or
der from the State authorities, but it
is made as urgent as the Board Of
Health can without recourse TO forma |
quarantine.
The board explains that infantile
paralysis is probably spread by car
ricrs. some adult and some Juvenile,
some showing evidences of the disease
and some. to all appearances, in nor
NAL health. AS there is no known way
OF identifying all carriers. the safest
course is to reduce contact to a mini
mum and to promote sanitation. So
argues the board. In the light OF New
York's experience last year.
The board most strongly urges par
ents not to travel with children un-
der twelve years during the present
outbreak of infantile paralysis" says
the published warning. There is no
telling when such n child may, un-
consciously. be exposed to a carrier
and there is no sense in taking chances
One OF the most pathetic cases report
ed this summer was that of a Young
mother who took her child to the
mountains for its health-only to find
within very short time, that the child
In some manner had been exposed to
infantile paralysis and had contracted
the disease. Cases of this sort are
rendered much more probable every
time children travel during the out
break.
GREATEST SECURITY
IN HOME,
The board believes that the great
est security that can be given most
Virginia children is to keen them at
home. amid sanitary surroundings.
Every effort should be made to keen
the environment Of the child sanitary
and special pains should be taken TO
reduce the fly nuisance and to dispose
OIL all NTH in a safe and sensible man.
ner.
In addition, children should be kept
as far as practicable from unnecessary
contact with others. until the present
outbreak has entirely subsidized. 1t
Is not necessary to keep children in
the house. but 1t is most desirable TO
Keep them on the premises. in the
itesh air. but away from other chill
dren.
Parties and picnics attended by
children are to be discouraged at this
time and. in the mountain and valley
districts. should not be permitted by
the local authorities. The presence OF
one carrier at a Ifcnic may mean the
spread of the disease from a dozen new
centcrs. every one Of them potential
ly dangerous.
The age Of twelve years has been
set as the upper limit OF these neces-
sary precautions because experience
has shown that 81 per cent of all the
victims of infantile paralysis are un
der that age. Where parents are par-
ticularly apprehensivc, this aEe-limit
may be raised"
In adding this warning to the steps
already taken to combat the spread
or infantile paralysis. the board ia
hopeful that the intelligent co-opera-
ton OF parents will make further ac.
ton unnecessary. At the same time
the board is In daily communication
with it's representatives in the valley
or Virginia and with the members NJ
me local boards of health. II an ex
tension of the infected area is thought
probable by the board, Quarantine
INES may be fixed and more drastic
action taken. For the present. the
board is most concerned in keeping
children from travelling