Evening star., 1937-09-23
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
HYDE PARK, N. Y, September 23.-
The text of President Roosevelt state
ment announcing the formation Of a
new foundation to unity the fight
against infantile paralysis follows
I have been very much concerned
over the epidemics of infantile paralysis
which have been prevalent in many
cities In different parts of the country.
have had reports from many areas
In which this disease is again spread
Ing its destruction.
And once again there is brought
forcingly to my mind the constantly
increasing accumulation of ruined
lives-which must continue unless this
disease can be brought under control
and its after-effects properly treated.
My own personal experience in the
work that We have been doing at the
Georgia Warm Springs Foundation for
over 10 years leads me to the very
definite conclusion that the best results
m attempting to eradicate this disease
cannot be secured by approaching
the problem through any single one of
Its aspects, whether that be preventive
studies in the laboratory. emergency
work during epidemics. or after treat
ment.
Other Phases Furthered.
For over 10 years at the Foundation
at Warm Springs, Ga, we have
devoted our effort almost entirely to
the study Of improved treatment of
the after effects of the illness. During
these years other agencies, which we
have from time to time assisted. have
devoted their energies to other phases
Of the fight
I firmly believe that the time has
now arrived when the whole attack on
this plague should be led and directed,
though not controlled. by one national
body. And 1t is for this purpose that
new national foundation for infantile
paralysis is being created.
AS I nave said. the gene & purpose
Of the new foundation will ~ 10 lead,
direct, and unity the fig..t IN every
phase of this sickness. 1t will make
every effort to ensure that every re-
sponsible research agency in this
country is adequately financed to
carry on Investigations into the cause
OF infantile paralysis and the meth
ods by which it may be prevented.
1t will endeavor to eliminate much
of the needless after-effect Of this
disease-wreckage caused by the fail
IRE to make early accurate diagnosis of
its presence.
Care Vital to Patient.
We all know that improper care
during the acute stage of the disease.
and the use of antiquated treatment,
or downright neglect of any treat
ment, are the cause Of thousands OF
crippled, twisted. powerless bodies
now. Much can be done along these
lines right now.
The new foundation will carry on a
broadgauged educational campaign,
prepared under expert medical super
vision, and this will be placed within
the reach Of the doctors and the hos
pitfalls of the country.
The practicing physician is in reality
the front line fighter Of the sickness,
and there is much existing valuable
knowledge that should be dissemi-
mated to him.
{ And then there is also the tre-
mendous problem As to what is to be
done with those hundreds Of thou
sands already ruined by the after
effects OF this af.icton. To inves-
tigate, to study, to develop every
medical possibility Of enabling those
so afflicted to become economically
Independent in their local communi-
ties will be one of the chief aims of
the new foundation.
Those who today are fortunate in
being in full possession of their mus
cular power naturally do not under
stand what it means to human being
paralyzed by this disease to have that
powerlessness lifted even to small
degree
Result Worth Effort.
1t means the difference between q
human being dependent on others and
an individual who can be wholly in
dependent. The public has little con-
ception Of the patience and time and
expense necessary to accomplish such
results. But the results are of the
utmost Importance to the individual.
The work of the new organization
must start Immediately. 1t cannot be
delayed. Its activities will include
among many others those of the Geor-
gia Warm Springs Foundation, OF
which I have been president since its
inception. I shall continue as presi-
fAnt of that fo,1r, dot tiop