INFANTILE PARALYSIS IN AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2852, 17 August 1916, Page 5

INFANTILE PARALYSIS IN AMERICA

. WIDESPREAD EPIDEMIC PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN ' BRITAIN • ; Australian-New Zealand Gable Association. >. , New York, August 15.. lho epidomic of infantile paralysis has. reached cases and 1400 deaths. ( The epidemic is now widespread, and there are 200 fresh cases daily.' Tho fact that. England is considering measures to prevent the introduction of the diseaso euggests that Australia will likewise institute a rigid inspection of ships from America.

[The latest American files show that tho epidemic of infantile paralysis is acutely concerning the ptiblio mind. ' Nino-years ago, tho New York "Times" recalls, there were 2500-cases of infantile paralysis, or poliomyelitis, in. the city, and the death-rate was only 5 per cent; In this -year's epidemic, in 037 cases, the rate was about 21 pe> cent. This journal adds, further, that it is quite probable that, the end of tho cpidemic will not be seen until tho beginning of October. Rules to stop the spread of tho disease, issued by Health Commissioner Haven Emerson, of Now York City, have beon posted, as follows: —

"Parents.—Seo that your children avoid indoor gatherings. ' "Apartment and Tonenicnt Houso Owners.—See that onough cans arc provided to seal every scrap of garbage. Houses_where there has bceji infantile paralysis should be renovated the moment placards are removed. Thismearis repainting or royarnishing ( repapering, and scrubbing woodwork with hot water and washing-soda. ''Janitors.—Seo that no rubbish or garbage is oxposed to flies, and that premisosaro kept scrupulously clean. "Hospitals.—Beport suspected cases for immediate diagnosis after isolating them. They will be removed." . t Tho lack of exact' information illcreases the dread' of tho disease, and on this point tho Bostoa "Transcript" observes: "Tho menace of tho disease is increased by the lack of complete knowledge—both of tho .methods by which tho virus-'of infantile paralysis io transmitted and of tho best positive methods for treating it—under which medical science still labours. In efforts to restrict the spread of the disease a knowledge of the method of transmission has first importance/ of course. On this 6core the doctors havo at least the hypothesis set up by Dr. Philip A. E. Sheppard, who has mado a special study of tho disease since 1909. He asserts that infantile paralysis is. carried by a species of stable-fly, a ,biting ily, known as Stomoxys calcitrans (Linno), basing liis belief, for one reason, on: tho fact that tho' occurrence of the disease in epidemic form is nearly identical with, tlio life incidence of this fly. paralysis, in its epidemic form, lias never appeared to any ,great extent until some time in May, ono month after this particular stable-fly lias begun to appear in abundance. Although the hypothesis has : been challenged, this reason, and a number of others) keep Dr. Sheppard ; still convinced to-day of its acceptability, pending disproof."]