New-York tribune., 1917-06-09
Emerson Tells Physicians
Close Watch VIII Be Kept
on All Handling Food
Squalor Not Cause
Nothing to Prove Uncleanli-
ness, Rats or Flies Trans
nit Disease

An outline Of the plans devised by
the city's Health Department to fight
infantile paralysis this year, was pre-
sented yesterday by Health Commits
sioner Emerson at the Hotel McAlpin
before a joint meeting of the section
on nervous and mental diseases Of the
American Medical Association.
Although the Institute for Public
Service, in its recent publication state
/ Work Against lnfantile Paralysis, "
which has the Endorsement OF the
Health Department, urged cleanliness
and sanitary precautions as a means
Of preventing a spread Of this disease,
Dr.. Emerson declared yesterday that
nothing had been learned to show that
unclean surroundings, dirty streets and
bad air had anything to DO with the
spread or transmission of poliomye-
ltis.
DR.. Emerson said that persons who
prepare and distribute food would be
closely observed this year and if the
disease should appear in the families
of such persons, they would be pre-
vented from carrying on their business
and their homes would Immediately be
put under quarantine.
No Longer Taking Chances
ON our investigation said DR..
Emerson, nothing was found 10 indl-
cate that the rat or the fly was cav
rier of the disease. a happy and
fortunate condition now exists among
the people relative to the reporting Of
suspicious eases. just now every case
that shows weakened muscles and a
rise in temperature is reported prompt
ly. This shows that the people are no
longer taking chances.
"It is apparent from study OF the
cases that have come to our attention
that children with normal throats are
/ less susceptible 20 the disease than
those afflicted with adenoids or en-
larged and diseased tonsils. This year
we have decided TO post daily in schools
and in other public institutions list
of places where iufantile paralysis has
appeared"
The Health Commissioner said the
period Of isolation for the disease this
summer will be three weeks. All chill
dren under sixteen, living in house
holds where infection has occurred, viii
be isolated for two weeks.
New Light on Brights Disease
DR.. Albert a. Epstein. Of this city,
IN paper read yesterday at the Bilt-
more before the section on the prac-
tice Of medicine of the association. re-
ported some unusual departures in the
treatment of Brights disease, and in
the discussion which followed his new
methods received much favorable COM
ment.
Bright's disease. which had generally
been considered solely as a disease OF
! the kidneys. was regarded yesterday
! by Dr. Epstein as a general coustltu-
| tional disturbance. largely due to
! change in the blood. Instead of eiimi-
mating a protein diet. the invariablc in
/ junction of the physician 10 patient
suffering from the disease. Dr. Epstein
/ recommended high protein diet. and
/ declared that he had administered 1T
with beneficial results. The object Of
/ the treatment, he said, was primarily
to overcome the disturbed condition Of
| the blood
The annual convention of the asso-
I citation. which. with 5000 physicians in
/ attendance. has been in session here
since Tuesday, adjourned yesterday at
! noon