Evening star., 1946-01-07
Big Increase Planned
In Nurses Trained
For Polio Cases

A huge national increase in the
number of polio emergency volun-
teers-nurse's aides trained espe-
cially to handle polio victims-was
planned today by woman leaders of
the National Foundation for Infan-
tile Paralysis.
Their two-day meeting at the
Hotel Statler was scheduled to close
this afternoon after a broadcast
from the White House by Mrs.
Harry S. Truman and by Franklin
D. Roosevelt, jr., who will represent
his mother. Mrs. Truman planned
to receive the conferees at a tea
after the broadcast
Also participating in the broad
cast, to be heard here on Station
WTOP at 3:15 o'clock, were Miss
Cornelia Otis Skinner, actress and
author, and Elizabeth Taylor, 13-
year-old screen star.
Glasses Start in Spring.
The District Chapter of the foun-
dation is now making arrangements
to open classes to the polio volun-
teers in District hospitals by spring,
Miss Sarah Wilson, executive sec
retary, said. The training was
started in other States last year.
Representatives attending the con-
ference for women advisers to
chapters in all 48 States predicted
tripling of the volunteers by the end
Of this year.
Miss Elaine Whitelaw, national
director Of the womens division,
and Miss Sally Lucas Jean, ma
tional consultant in health educa-
ton, stressed that training to ham
die disease which particularly
aff1licts children has been and
should be a main reason for the
popularity of the polio volunteer
plan among women.
The first national conference of
State advisers on women's activities
was told yesterday by Basil OCon-
nor. foundation president, that the
Nation has entrusted the founda-
ton with the task of tracking down
a cure for the disease, and expects
results.
Research Helps Others.
Other responsibilities - such as
giving the public and the medical
profession the latest information on
polio, and caring for victims-also
will be carried on with funds con-
tributed during the March of Dimes.
starting next week in memory of
President Roosevelt. he said.
DR.. Don w. Gudakunst. medical
director of the foundation. added
that the fight against many other
diseases, including cancer and trop-
ical ills affecting servicemen has
been advanced by discoveries made
in the search for a poliomyelitis
cure.
The District chapter spent S55,-
900 during 1945 to help aid the 1874
new polio victims and the ones
needing care since previous out
breaks, Judge Fay L. Bentley of
the Juvenile Court, chapter chair
man, reported.
She stressed that no matter how
much money is raised this year, it
will never be enough to insure be
yond doubt" that all possible victims
will be cared for. For example, one
boy, in respirator IS months with
constant nursing service, has so far
cost the chapter more than $11 ,OOO
in fees, she said.
Physical Therapists Needed.
The chapter has also set up a
speech training clinic for victims OF
bulbar polio, which affects the
throat, and has sent many young
sters to special summer camps
Judge Bentley reported.
Trained physical therspists spend
more time with each patient than
either the doctor or nurse and are
badly needed, Miss Catherine
nottingham, director of tech
nical education for the foundation
reported. Only about 5000 thera
pists are now available in the en-
tire country, and therefore the
foundation has appropriated ST.
125 900 to train about 673 more in
the near future, she said.
Other speakers yesterday were DR.
Hart E. Van Ripper, assistant ma
tional medical director: Mrs. Her.
bert Taylor, New Jersey State ad-
wiser. and Mrs. Albert C. Rider
Rhode Island State adviser.
To hawaiian GoI1 N:l