Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-11-02
SOUTH PARIS, MAINE, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER q 1920
lnfantlle Paralysis In Maine.

Twelve cases OF p0li0myolitle, or infan
tile paralysis, have been reported from
ten Maine towns to the State Depart
ment of Health since September I, eIgh1
of them during September and four new
cases In the first week Of the month ol
October. These are practically tht
first reports Of the disease In Maine In
1920 and while far from Indicating an
epidemic, have put the health author
tiles on their guard, especially In view
of the fact that In several sister statei
infantile paralysis 10 now prevalent In
alarming proportions.
The towns from which the disease has
been reported are Cranberry Isle with
three cases, one of which resulted In
death, Eastport, Bangor, Wster7ille,
Ellsworth, Rumford, Wiscssset, Wins
low, Scarborough and Bowdoin, with
one case each. Reports thus far show
that the coast towns are most seriously
affected which leads to the possible con.
oiusIon that infsntile paralysis this year
was brought to Maine by her summer
visitors.
DR.. Leverett D. Bristol. State Commits
sioner of Health, who has taken the sit
uation in hand, has made special study
Of infantile paralysis, and In 1917 was
connected with the Harvard Infantile
Paralysis Commission and with the Mas.
sachusetts State Department of Health
In research and investigation concerning
this disease. With DR.. A. G.. Young,
Director Of the Division of Communica
BILE Diseases, and the health officers In
the field, the commissioner 10 taking
every precaution to prevent the develop
ment OF an epidemic In this state.
In addition to the watchfulness which
is being exerted In the present situation,
the commissioner has plans underway
for the establishment of free clinics
about the state for the treatment OF
former and possible future epidemics OF
infantile paralysis victims and hopes to
secure from the Legislature this winter
sufficient funds to put this plan into
operation. At such clinics free scientific
treatment would be given the patients
with the aim of helping them to recover
from deformities which result from this
disease.
The first step in this plan has been
the sending out of the following letter
to all local health officers in Maine by
Or. Young:
"This year We have been fortunate in
having only very few cases of polio
myelitis In this state. 1t was far differ
ant In our two epidemic years, 1910 and
1915. OF the children and older persons
who suffered an attack of this disease
in these or other years, It is likely that
there are large number who are still
afflicted with the sequels of the disease,
paralysis of some of their muscles and
the deformities which result from such
weakened and parslyzsd muscles.
This Department hopes to arrange for
the treatment of those unfortunates.
We are therefore asking you to collect
and transmit to this Office information
about any cases in your town who are
suffering from paralysis or deformity
resulting from an attack OF poliomy elitis.
We would thank you If you learn of such
unfortunstes to get the information
called for in the following questions:
Name Of the patient?
Age a. far as you can learn or judgeP
Address OF patient Tor parents or
guardians II q minor)p
Year in which the person had the at.
tack of poliomyelitisP
II you know of any such cases outside
of your town, kindly give us clue to
them, and as much information as you