Evening star., 1944-08-20
Expert Recalled
As Polio Cases
Rise to'85
Physiotheropist Will
Fly Back to Capital
From California

Four more cases of infantile pa
ralysis were listed by the Health
Department yesterday, increasing
the total from the Washington
Metropolitan area to IS. The num-
Der Of cases originating In the Dis
trict stands at 81.
One Of the new cases came from
the TOO block Of Seventh street NE
The other three originated ir
nearby Virginia and Maryland-on,
from the 4800 block Of Twenty.
fourth street. North, Arlington, one
from the 400 block of Newtor
street, Colmar Manor, Md, and the
third from Landoyer, Md.
To help meet the situation here,
the District Chapter Of the Ma
tional Foundation for Infantile
Paralysis has recalled from Cali
fornia the chapters physiotherapist
Mrs. Barbara G. Welsh, who was
loaned to Alameda County, Calf.
to help in an outbreak of the
disease.
Mrs. WEIGH is expected to fly back
to Washington, probably early this
week. She may be assigned as a
contact officer between the District
chapter, and the hospitals with the
most cases, Children's and Gallinger
Special Nurses Provided.
In announcing the recall of Mrs.
WEIGH, the chapter president, Judge
Fay L. Bentley Of Juvenile Court,
said special nurses are being provided
at Children's and Gallinger Hospitals
to help administer the Kenny treat
ment. Eight electric washing ma
chimes with power wringers have
been purchased to clean the woolen
cloths used in applying heat to the
paralyzed limbs Of patients. One
new device, designed especially fol
handling such cloths, with a steam
jet, and centrifugal wringer, was
purchased and has been installed al
Children's Hospital, at a cost of about
$400.
Many braces also are being fur.
nished for children now recovering
from paralysis, Judge Bentley said
The work Of the chapter and its
executive secretary, Miss Sarah Will
son, has greatly increased during
the outbreak, the judge reported.
Virginia Total 269.
From Richmond. Va, accordine
to the Associated Press, the August
pollomyelltis total climbed to 49,
with II new cases reported yester.
day. This brought the State tota,
since June ! to 269.
Baltimore reported that IA new
cases and two deaths during the
past week; double the previous
weeks figures. These brought the
years total to Al. with five deaths
In the % Maryland counties out
side Of Baltimore, there have beer
SO cases and 7 deaths this year
according to DR.. c. H. Halliday
State epidemiologist.
While there was a difference of
opinion in the medical profession on
precautionary measures advisable in
Washington, it was learned that in
some nearby counties of Virginia
and Maryland physicians have
adopted brief, standard set Of pre-
cautions framed by the National
Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.
These include:
l. Avoid overtiring and extreme
fatigue from strenuous exercise.
2. Avoid sudden chills such as
would come from plunging into ex-
tremely cold water on a very hot
day.
3. Pay careful attention to per-
sonal cleanliness, such as thorough
handwashing before eating.
4. IT possible, avoid tonsil and ade-
mold operations until there are no
more cases in the community.
5. Use the purest milk and water
available. Keep flies away from
food.
8. Do not swim in polluted water,
Z. Maintain community sanitation
at high level at all times.
8. Avoid unnecessary contact with
persons with any illness resembling
lnfantile paralysis,