Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-07-28
Better Health
Researchers
Seek Cause
Of Paralysis
One Of Few Diseases
Linked With Summer
BY DIR. LOGAN CLENDENTNC

L
BY DIR. LOGAN CLENDENINC
TNFANTILE paralysis is one Of
Il the few infectious diseases
with a summer incidence, and
this fact has stimulated a great
many research workers to at
tempt 10 find a cause for il.
One theory which has con-
siderable merit is that il is due
TO swimming or bathing in
rivers, lakes or at the outlet Of
rivers in the ocean where con-
tamination by sewage has oc-
Cured
In one report it was shown
that out OF 4l9 cases of infan-
tile paralysis observed over a
three-year period, 105 of the
patients. slightly more than 25
per cent, had swum, waded or
padded in more or less con-
taminated waters just prior 10
the attack.
Another theory, less we'll sur
ported by fact, also concerns
swimming and suggests that
undue cooling Of the body may
render it susceptible 10 infec-
ton with the virus of the disease.
THERE is no doubt that in
Il fantile paralysis is an infec-
ton due 10 a virus and probably
enters the body through the
nose; only in the nose. where
the olfactory nerve spreads out.
are nerves which go directly to
the central nervousLsystem ex-
posed.
II is hard To believe that there
is only one way for this infec-
ton TO occur.
1t may come from droplet in
lection on food or from human
contact.
For instance. a case has been
reported Of four boys in a boys
school all of whom came down
the same day.
No other cases developed in
the school.
Careful analysis was made of
their daily habits and lives; they
were not in close contact either
in dormitories or in clasSrooms,
but they were all served at the
table by a maid in whose home
two cases OF infantile paralysis
later occurred.
This looks like pretty well
proved case Of a human carrier.
Under the heading OF treat
~ ment, undoubtedly the most
important advance has been the
so-called Kenny treatment, the
principle of which is 10 pre-
vent contracture by early pas
sive movement.
Al the University Of Mime
sofa. where Nurse Kenny is now
working, arrangements have
been made TO offer a course of
this atment 10 physicians.
hospital nurses and physical
therapy techniclans.
1t should be remembered that
infantile paralysis is not a very
contagious disease and that even
IN epidemic areas only a small
number OF people exposed take
the disease
For treatment in the acute
stages. the use of conValeScent
serum is about the only thing
that has any standing.
Nobody would claim that il is
anywhere like. 100 per cent per-
feet. but il does no harm and
should, in my opinip. be given
a trial whenever possible and
available.
n INTERESTING observa-
"A ton that has not been fol-
lowed up very closely in this
country is that of a Swiss
doctor Contat. who in the 1887
epidemic prescribed potassium
chlorate for the relief of the
sore throat accompanying the
disease.
He was greatly surprised at
the favorable turn taken by the
patient. as the temperature soon
became normal and signs Of
meningeal irritation and paraly-
sis disappeared,
He followed this up by treat
Ing the next s. cases with
potassium chlorate and in the
whole series there was no fatal
Try and little permanent par
alysis.
QUESTIONS. ANSWERS
NJ. L. W.-Please tell me what
4 A