The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-06-05
TREATING POLIO VICTIMS.
Good Progress Has Been Made in the
Work in Vermont.


Under the direction of the Vermont
state board of health. the seventh year
Of work in the prevention and after
care of the disease known as polio
myelitis. sometimes called infantile
paralysis, is just getting under way.
During the month of May. clinics have
been held in some of the leading cities
throughout the state by Miss Bertha
f. Weisbrod, who has been for the last
year in charge of the after.eare work
jim poliomyelitis in Vermont. Miss
Weishrod was assisted by Miss Mar
iorie Hickok, who joined the depart
ment the first of May.
1t was the purpose of these clinics
10 reach the patients who had already
been treated during the last year or
two, TO see how they were getting
along. and also to give any patients
who have not received treatment an
opportunity to be treated The elm
les were held in Burlington, Rutland,
Montpelier, St ]ohnsbury. Barton and
St Adams. The attendance at the
clinics was gratifying to the workers.
who feel that the people of the state
are gaining confidence in this work and
are more willing TO make use of the
help which the state is trying to give
them.
Very little can be done in this work
during the winter, because il is so hard
for the people TO get to the clinics.
But the patients are given instructions
F.T ~ ts+ss k. hafy. Of
their relatives and friends. are able TO
improve greatly by following these in
structions. Then, when they come to
the clinics in the summer. they are
examined and given further aid and
advice.
Sometime during the summer. fur
lher clinics will be held, at which
specialist in poliomyelitis DIR. Frank
Olcr of Boston, will be present and
assist in the work DIR. ober is the
man who performed most Of the OPP
crations last summer upon Vermont
children who were afflicted with polio
myelitis. and these operations have all
proved highly successful. Il is expect
cd that DR. obcr viii be in the state
for clinics during the latter part OF
July on the early part Of August.
When he comes, due notice win be Civ.
IN 70 all. patients 80 that they will
lave the opportunity 20 see him. DR..
Robert W. LoVctt, also polio expert
from Boston. who has been coming 10
Vermont IN connection with this work
ever since D. was started in the state.
viii not be able 10 come here this sum
mer. DR.. Obcr is his associate in the
work.
Tho clinics held in the various parts
~ the state during the month Of Nav
were most interesting. a. well a. benr-
fetal Parents and guardians were in
structed and advised how 10 take rare
II the children crippled with polio
lnyelitis. 80 that children might crow
up ss strong and A. straight. IS useful
and ~ happy a. possible. The patients
who came. however. were mot all chill
dren. Tor there was a large percent
age over u wears of age.
To one attending these clinics for
The first time. il miCht.seem remark
able that 4 patient 10 hooked much
crcumhered hv two hraces. and was
obliged e. use crutches in order "a
walk. booked like one 81 the harpi
\ e persons in the world But posi-
isit that ehid uas one Who could Mt
walk - al lat wear. ard had MT
walked for three or four Vears untii
Operated urou and given braces and
cr1ltrhes
sly Vermont chiidreu rrre taken
cut q wkatl cilairs this lasl yoar b.