Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-07-27
Best Treatment for
InfantiIe Paralysis

State Orthopedist tells of danger
in manipulating of massaging
the aching muscles.
Richmond, July 23.-While the
State Board of health hopes that
the epidemic of infantile paraly-
sis which has afflicted one section
of Virginia will not spread to
other sections, it feels that 1T
should warn the people of the en-
tire State and advise them what
to do and particularly what to
avoid doing if this disease should
spread.
There has been so much adver-
Using regarding the value OF
"adiustments", manipulation
and massaging that unintormed
people may easily be led into a
grievous error. Sufferers from
infantile paralysis should have
rest, especially during their
periods of muscular soreness
which almost always accompany
the course of the disease
The importance of the sulj Ct
cuased the State Health Com
missioner to secure from ID. :"
III. Graham a definite statement
on the subject. DR.. Graham is a
member of the State Board Of
Health, is the State Orthopedist
aud has charge of the States
lcrippled children at the Memo
rial, the Dooley and st. Philips
hospitals. Whatever opinion he
gives represents the best thought
on the subject of those children S
TROUBLES that may lead to Grip
ping or disabling.
lDr. Graham says:
That so long as there is any
muscular soreness, sufferers from
Iinfantile paralysis should have
complete rest. they should not
have their muscles or joints
manipulated or massaged. When
possible the affected limb or ex
Itremity should be kept as nearly
as practicable in the normal, or
anatomical position. This pre-
vents overstretching of the para
llyzed muscles and the contract
ure of those not paralyzed. When
the patient is able to leave his
bed and walk around, the arms
should be supported by sling
50 there may be no stretching OF
shoulder muscles.
That light rubbing Of the skin
may be helpful and cannot hurt;
for the flesh is generally cold,
and gentle rubbing may give a
sense of comforting warmth; but
he advises most strongly against
all hard rubbing or any kind of
manipulation.
That even where paralysis EN-
sues from attacks of poliomye.
litis. in at least twenty-fyeper
lcent of the cases there is COM
plete, fuuc tional recovery when
i the patient has been allowed to
rest quietly during the period Of
soreness that is usually feature
iof the disease. Where the patient
has been allowed to exercise too
early or where his muscles have
been manipulated. tn. chances
of recovery are lessened.
That with the other seventy
five per cent, or thereabout, pei
manent ill-effects vary from slight
to serious but that it is safe to
say that in all cases manipulation
or message adds to the disability
rather than helping toward re-
covery.
That subsequent paralysis is
not a necessary consequence. of
the diseases, a large proportion
Of the cases recovering complete
iy. 1t is possible, however, even
among the class that would
ordinarily have no trouble, that
failure to get absolute rest might
p-ove harmful, If not disastrous.
Even where there is no soreness
OF muscles, manipulation or mas
age should not be given within
SIX weeks.
OF interest to Farmers