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Show JitlllliliilltiliiilliilllillllliiiiliiHiiiiiiiililiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiNiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiittiHiiiiniiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii HiHiiiiiiiiimiNiimitniiiuiii jiiuiuiij iiiimrr Poliomyelitis, or Infantile Paralysis 1 BY DR. J. L. JONES j August, September and October are the months during which poliomyelitis, polio-myelitis, or infantile paralysis, is usually roost prevalent. Following a few facts which are important in the prevention and control of this disease. dis-ease. The questions asked and answered below have been selected as those most pertinent to a better under standing of the nature, method of spread, and means of prevention of this disease.. What is infantile paralysis? A "catching" disease caused by an infecting agent, or virus, which gains entrance into the substance of the brain or spinal cord. How is the entrance gained ? Through the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, thence by lymph channels to the nerve tissues. In what ways do exposures occur? (a) By contact with discharges from nose, throat, or bowles of an affected person, either directly, person per-son to person, or indirectly by way of some article of food (especially milk)- polluted with these discharges. (b) By contact with a healthy individual indi-vidual harboring the virus of this disease in the nose or throat known as a carrier. Is the disease as prevalent as usually reported? In all probability, much more so. A part of those affected do not de velope paralysis at all, while in some others paralysis is so slight that it is not recognized. It is, therefore, probable prob-able that many mild cases are not recognized. Are these mild cases contagious? Yes. Is there any specific preventive treatment against the disease ? No. Is there any vaccine or serum treatment for the disease? Convalescent serum, that is a serum from one recently recovered from the disease, is being used by a great many physicians in treating early suspected cases of infantile paralysis, that is before the onset of paralysis, since it is claimed by several authorities that through such serum treatment paralysis can frequently fre-quently be prevented. The difficulty in this connection comes from not being sure that the mild or early case, without paralysis, is really one of infantile paralysis or some other condition. Should the occasion djemand, the state board of health will procure convalescent serum for distribution What period of time elapses between be-tween exposure (infection) and onset of infantile paralysis? From 7 to 14 days. When should precautions be taken against exposure? Upon the report of one case in the community. I What measures can be taken? (a) Any possible avenues by which the virus of this disease can get to children should be cut off (see 3 above). The most important measure mea-sure of precaution is isolation of th child. By so doing, the chances of exposure are minimized. This does hot imply that the . child should be confined to a room, but rather that its movements should be restricted to the dooryard, and association with other chilren avoided. Contact with adults, should also be avoided. (b) Milk should be either boiled or pasteurized before being consumed. (c) All measures to prevent contact con-tact with body discharges, the suppression sup-pression of the fly nuisance, prohibition prohibi-tion of the common drinking cup, and a general educational campaign for cleanliness and sanitation, with particular par-ticular instruction of parents and children concerning personal hygiene, especially of the mouth and nose, are strongly urged. (d) Guard children against fatigue and indiscretions of .diet, give them a little extra rest during the day. How long should these precautions be continued ? This period will be governed by the local board of health, or until two weeks after the last case develops in the community. What are the early symptoms of infantile paralysis ? (a) If one or more cases have occurred oc-curred in the community, a child with fever, vomiting, constipation (or diarrhea), drowsiness, and irritability, irrita-bility, especially when combined with; headache, a transient flushing of the face, unusual sweating, or retention of urine, should be regarded with suspicion. j (b) During the latter part of the summer ,any child with an unexplained unex-plained stomach or intestinal disturbance disturb-ance and a temperature up to 102 degrees, with a discomfort out of all proportion to the symptoms, should j be kept apart from other children for a few days and the family physician called. Pains in the neck, back and limbs, general weakness and clumsiness clumsi-ness about the fourth day of illness ! mark the onset of paralysis and may . establish the diagnosis. ! What should be done with the su-j spected child ? Immediately isolate the suspected child in bed, keeping other children' in the household from the room, and jail other children and adults fromj entering the house. When a definite! . diagnosis of infantile paralysis is I made, then a strict quarantine must ! be established and observed under I the direction of . the family physician.) j What are the general suggesions! as regards the treatment of a case '. of infantile paralysis? 1 Absolute rest in bed until all pain' and tenderness have left the affectedj j muscles; then, and only then, is it ( time for a series of properly graded and controlled exercises, carefully carried out according to the direction, 1 of the physician. I All cases of infantile paralysis; must be promptly reported to the local health authorities. Only in this' way can there be assurance of the I cooperation of your health depart-j I ment in preventing further spread of this disease. |