Evening star., 1940-01-21

seven Bradford frames (tor the back were
sent to Buffalo All the Jims and Marys
whose bodies had to be kept straight then -
or never We're served
And after they had served their purpose IN
Buffalo, the splints became reserve ammunl-
ton for the Foundation S next war on niantile
PARALYSIS, to be used by other victims.
As the result of proper spintlng, IN the
opinion of Dr. Herbert II. Bauckus, char
man of the Buffalo Board of Health, there
will be less permanent disability from this
epidemic than there ever has been in any
infantile paralysis outbreak of equal size.
Only a few weeks ago | visited one of the
Buffalo convalescent institutions, where last
wears nfantile- paralysis victims lay IN their
beds, in claSsrooms, around piano, or before
a movie screen. Some of them had their arms
spread out stitily, like sCarecrows, held there
to avoid damage to the muscles that later
might mean the power to raise their arms.
Others were strapped to Bradford frames,
rigid stretcherlike appliances that prevent
curvature of the spine. Dozens of legs IN
plaster boots or metal and leather spllnts
made Jumps in the light blankets as walked
through the rooms.
DO you know" remarked the physio-
therapist who was my guide, ''of all the chill
dren who have come to us 50 far, there has
been only one contracture? That's the case
of baby who shows signs OF dropped loot,
because it was so hard to keep the apparatus
on her Most of these children are handl-
capped only by stiffness and weakness.
A contracture, in lay language means a
delormity | looked around me. These bright
eyed, round faced children. so patient in their
splints would have no defOrmities, whatever
their other handicaps. 1t was something. 1t
showed progress.
lHAT is what the infantile- paralysis move
ment about which we hear so much at this
time OF year when dimes and dollars are being
solicited by the Committee for the Celebra
ton of the President Birthday, meant in one
city of the United States. What happened in
Buffalo might happen anywhere of course. 1t
did happen. as a matter OF fact, in two other
cities Detroit Michigan. and Charleston.
South Carolina And in each city the National
Foundation was ready.
In Buffalo the splints were only part of the
Job. naturally The Foundation chapter pur-
chased an iron lung. and stationed it at the
main hrehouse of the city, to be on cal! when
ever and wherever needed. There were three
other iron lungs in Buffalo, including those
lent to the city by the Province Of Ontario,
Canada, which two years ago had severe
outbreak of its own. All were put to use.
The Foundation chapter held conferences
with the health authorities. medical societies,
hospital chiefs and some forty five praCtlclng
physicians. to discuss isolation, early dag
nosis, prompt treatment education OF parents
as to precautions and afterCare
And when the epidemic subsided the chap
ter paid for twenty beds in the Josephine
Goodyear Convalescent Home, where some of
last years victims are being rehabilitated,
Il don't know what we would have done
without the Foundation chapter, Mayor
Thomas Holling of Buffalo told me. i dread
what would have happened if no we'll
organized group had been ready to guide US
There are today
more than 700 counties