Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-08-11
REPORTED THIRTY CASES OF
PAR NSIS.
State Board of Health Issues Warming
on Danger of Spread Of Dreaded
POl;omyclitis.

Ra,jimc ord, VA, Aug. 2, 1917.--Thirty
cases or infantilc paralysis we're re-
ported TO the State Board Of Heal.h
from seven counties and one city
during the month of July.
Three cases have been reported
from the city of Richmond, approXi-
mately % cases from Rockingham
county. 3 from Page. 2 from King
and Queen, 2 from Pitsylvania and
one each from Goochland and Rich
mend counties. The health authori-
ties Of Rappanhannock county have re.
ported number of cases." but as
they have not been specific, exact in.
formation will not be available until
the state officer dispatched there has
filed his report.
Acting on the basis of this Informal
ton, the state board of health today
issued bulletin of warning and call
ed upon physicians TO report immed-
lately. as required by law, all cases
of infantilc paralysis.
Absolute frankness regarding the
present situation" said Health Com
missioner Williams today, as neces-
sary to keep the people advised. to af-
ford basis for proper action and to
prevent the spread OF unfounded ru-
mors. Physicians owe it to the pub
lie as we'll rs to the law to report i'm
mediately all cases that occur in their
practice and Immediately establish
quarantine. Evasion of the law, In
cases OF this sort, Is criminal and
Will be punished promtly and effec-
lively.
Some OF the cases that have been
reported are probably of the sporadic
prehensions. Other cases apparently
are or the epidemic type and may be
responsible for the future spread of
the disease. All cases must be trent.
ell as though they were of the great
est danger, for only In this way can
proper precautions be taken.
'Ghe situation has not vet assumod
proportions that make 1t necessary to
give public warning against travel in
all parts or the state. but 1t is serious
enough TO justify us in saying that
chlldren should not enter or leave
h"cKlngham county. 1t may be neces.
sary 10 add Page and Rappahannock
TO this list. If so, public notice will
be given.
The board is taking steps to con.
me une disease, If possible, to the
present area OF infection and ss wc-'r
uui.u ..es.,... .eryi...a., If u
becomes necessary, we shall osk tho
government to detail us additional of,
ncers to- assist the state force T.,
diagnosis and quarantine, For tho
present the most important mea sure.
VI prevention are, first, the isolation
OF all cases and, secondly. the soni.
tatlon or our towns, ciiies ana r,ra,
uia.iic's. 10 this end, the board bas
m W., an urgent appeal to the conn
10. ana poards or super yisors and will,
command. e' at us
ms pest advice we can rive RI
Parehts In the infected districts 10 ~
Keep small children from contact with
other children. and, as far ms noss,b,o
from contact with all persons nv
more carefully this is done. where ~ n
surroundings are sanitary, the less
chance there Is that the child viii ho'
ccme infected. 1A oo'
while these precautions mvst ,o
taken, 1t Is only fair to saw that aa.,
p1te the number of cases ronortod
curing July the total number Tins For
ior the year Is only sixty-eiebt THO
~ less than the number reported ~
me corresponding date In 1915 W.
ousht, therefore, to be extremely vief
aant put should not become manic.
stricken or be deceived by false ru.
nors Ii physicians will obey the law
anu report Immediately all cases thai
occur IN their practice, the board viii
give 1uli publicity, without embar.
RAISING individuals, and will keen tho
people or Virginia fully advised as II
every development" ~