Newspaper Page Text
The Newest Methods
of Medical Science
n Its Effort to Restore
the Withered Limbs
and Bodies of
Infantile Paralysis'
Pitiful Victims
THE approach of Summer finds the
medical profession better equipped
than ever before to cope with in
fantile paralysis, the dread disease which
in a single night may turn a healthy in
fant into a hopeless cripple.
Every Summer for a number of years
now has been marked by an epidemic of
this disease, and little could be done to
avert the calamity. This year, however
(thanks to the untiring efforts of medical
scientists), it is believed that an epidemic
may be warded off if mothers will adopt
the simple precautions suggested by recent
discoveries regarding the disease.
It is now known that the disease is
caused by a germ. It is known also that
this germ enters the body by means of the
nose, and that the disease is communi
cated by means of the nasal discharge.
These facts suggest the appropriate pre
cautions, which are fully set forth on this
page.
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low the Artificial Muscles Are Placed
to Help the Withered Arms of a Child
and to Strengthen the Ankles.
Although no cure has yet been found, a
method has been developed by means of
which the use of the paralyzed limbs may
be wholly or partially restored.
This new discovery, which comprises a
system of rubber muscles. Is so simple
and has proved so successful that a de
scription of It will be given before the
question of preventive measures Is taken
up in detail.
Rubber muscles for use In Infantile
paralysis are the Invention of Dr. Roland
0. Melsenbach, of Buffalo, N. Y., who fully
explains his method In the New York
Medical Record for the benefit of the pro
fession and the world In general.
"The prevention of deformity In Infan
tile paralysis,” he says, “should be under
taken as soon as the febrile and acute
symptoms have subsided. The teachings
xnti recently have not emphasized this
point; there has been a tendency to wait
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A Mechanical Apparatus for Strengthening Arms and Back of Infantile Paralysis Victim*.
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How the Rubbers Are Affixed to ihe Back
to Strengthen the Muscles.
In tho hope that many of
the affected muscles would
regain their power. That
some of theso do regain
their power is tho rule, but
the period In which they re
gain their power Is proble
matic, extending over weeks
and months. During this
waiting time much valuable
opportunity for preventing
deformity is lost, even
though massage and eleo-
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tricity are employed. The
process of restoration is
slow and inadequate to
overcomo tho contractions
of t lio unaffected muscles,
which are rapid. Thiß fact
Is amply verified fcy the
many cases of deformity
which are met with and
which havo had electricity
and massage.
‘‘Electricity and massage
may or may not bo valuable,
but are not sufficient to pre
vent deformlly by them
selves. This is especially
true when the foot, kneo or
hand aro Involved. Ortho
pedic treatment should tie
Instituted early; tilts does
not nocossarlly mean that
heavy braces should lie ap
plied. In the early slago
such bruces may defeat
their own purpose. Steol
braces aro most valuable af
ter it Is evident that the
paralysed muscles will not
regain power and propane
tory to tendon transference.
"For tho past year I huvo
boon treating many cases
of weak feet occurring
in children and young
adults, chhos In which
rigid apparatus was counter Indicated by
means of reinforcing the weak and
flabby tibialis posticus (the principal
muscle of the calf) with* a rubber
muscle especially constructed for the
particular case. Also In cases es tallpes
equlno-varus and valgus, Ibis substitution
as an aid to the weakened muscles was
made. It was surprising to note In these
caws hew quickly tho muscles strength
ened. The rationale of this treatment. Is
apparent, the rubber muscles simulating
the normal muscular activity ns a con
slant force. In cases of weak feet ojer
clso alone Is not adequate, from the fact
that we are attempting to strengthen mus
cles fifteen minutes In the morning end
fifteen minutes ut night, as tho case may Isi,
and during the remainder of the dny the
muscles are being overworked and are
again subjected to the weakening cause.
In Infantile puralyuls the snmo muscular
inability occurs, ouiy in a more marked
degree; therefore, this method suggested
What You Can Do to
Protect Your Children
INFAN I ILE PARALYSIS is a germ disease. Thc
germ is so minute that it passes trhough the finest
porcelain fillers—but the Rockefeller Institute experts
have seen, through the ultra-microscope, small, oval, shiny
bodies. If these, as it is reasonable to suppose, ate the
germs of infantile paralysis, the stamping out of the disease
is only a matter of time.
Being a germ disease, infantile paralysis is communica
ble from person to person. It is contagious and infectious.
1 he germ is mainly taken through the nose.
It is communicated by means of the nasal discharge.
Wherever possible, handkerchiefs should be destroyed
when soiled. In an event, they should be thoroughly
boiled.
Ihe use of the pocket handkerchief, however, is not
sufficient to protect a child from infection. Thc nasal
passage and throat should be kept thoroughly sterilized.
A mouth and nose wash of hydrogen peroxide may be
used for the purpose. This may be applied with an ato
mizer or other form of spray.
Children should be made to avoid the filth of the streets.
Under no circumstances should they buy fruit or candies
which have been exposed to the dust-charged air of .ho
streets.
Do not let your children indulge in kissing. Infantile
paralysis may very readily be spread in just that way.
Above all, keep your child clean.
These precautions are more necessary in the Summer
months, but it would not be unwise to pVactise them thc
whole year.
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An Exercise to Restore the Muscular
Action of a Paralyzed Leg.
Itself to mo In the early treatment of In
fttnlllo paralysis and Ims been used with
success In selected cases.
“For the construction of nrtlllclnl mus
clch an ordinary rubber dam is used,
which cun ho procured at any rubber
store. Tho thickness of the rubber varies,
hut its strength should he In proportion
to the work of ttie muscles, which it rein
forces. r rho dam Is cut Into strips from
%to 11/jl l /j Inches In width and from 4to H
Inches in length. At each md of theso
strip* pieces of zl no-oxlde adhesive plaster
are attached, which grip the ends of the
rubber to the extent of about I Va inches
and extend about 4 to fi Inches beyond
the rubber. The adhesive plaster coming
In contact with tho rubber should grasp
the rubber on all sides and should bo
clasped in a vise or compressed with a
mallet, so as to prevent breaking away
when tension Is applied. If necessary tho
adhesive plaster may bo slightly heated
over a flame.
“The method Is chiefly applicable to the
ankle, the knee, tho wrist and shoulder
Joints. One end of the artificial muscle
is applied over a Joint, corresponding up
proxlmutely to the origin of tho muscle
and the other at the Insertion of the
muscle. For Instance, In a simple case
of Infantile paralysis Involving the peronel
group, one end of the rubber muscle Is
BKeef The
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Morning®
II
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applied on tho outer border
of Iho foot, passing over
the cuboid, and the other
end applied on the outer
side of leg, half way be
tween the ankle and the
knee. When the tibialis
posth-ns Is Involved Its ori
gin and insertion aro guides
to the application of Its
artificial muscle. In every
instance the rubber muscle
Is applied as taut as tho
treatment warrants ft
might Imre lie said that
very little temilon is neces
sary If the limb Is held la
a corrected position ut the
time of application.
‘‘When i lies,, muscles are
applied lo the wrist or other
Joints, or when more than
one muscle la applied lo the
same Joints (ho adhesive
si rips may be cut accord
ing to tho Ingenuity of tho
surgeon. In many cases. In-
Blend of a straight piece, the
adhesive plaster cut in the
shape of a V will give a bet*
ler grip. Conclusions:
‘T. by the uso of artificial
muscles I ho Irtst power may
he supplied temporarily un
til the paralyzed muscles
huvo recovered.
“2. The forro exerted by
them simulates the normal
hotter than any other
method.
"3. Contractures of oppos
ing groups may ho pre
vented.
4. rim rubber over the affected muscles
causes a local stimulation which lg noted
by active hyjHicnila and perspiration of
the skin beneath tho artificial muscle.
‘T> Its use does not Immobilize the Joint,
nor does It Interfere with other prescribed
treatment, namely, passive motion, mus
sago or alertrlcul contractions.
b Its efficiency Is continuous and Its
simplicity doe riot Interfere with the
clothing or bathing. It is not intended to
he UI <1 In advanced cases after the con
tract lone have taken place."
Hut though these new rubber muscles
may In some cases restore the use of par
alyzed limbs, prevention of tho disease Is
of course far preferable. This can he no
cornpUshed only by the most persistent
efforts of mothers. Doctors cannot under
take lo regulate private households, nnd
the prevention of infantile paralysis is
first ami Jast a question of precautions to
bo taken In the home.
According to the experts at Rocke
f<*jjrjr Institute, InfanUJo pftralynlH Is
spread by persons sick with the disease
or by some one who has been In contact
wtlh a patient suffering from the dtHonse.
It appears that the rerm of the disease
can Is* carried by healthy persons who
have come In contact with llm sick, who
themselves will not contract the disease,
hut who may transfer the germ to other
persons who will develop It.
The germ enters tho body by way of
the nasal passages. In the course of the
disease the germ Is also thrown off from
the brain through the nose and mouth.
This suggests tho proper course to follow:
Disinfect or destroy the secretions of
the nose and mouth of those ill of the
disease, and maintain In a stale of clcun
-11m-! s the hands, nose and mouth of all
children exposed to tho disease. This
means ail children, for practically speak
ing every child Is exposed U) tho disease
either directly or Indirectly.
A number of valuable suggestions along
these lines are set forth In another column
on this page, and they should be strictly
folio west
It Is to he remembered that this
scourge makes no distinction between rich
and poor; the child es the millionaire Is
Just as apt to fall a victim to It us the
street urchin of the tenement district. For
this reason, lit no mother say. ‘Oh, my
children an- properly cared for and canned
contract the disease. It Is only the child
of the slums, who Is brought up nmld fllth
and unsanitary curroundlngs, who gets It*
Every child Is subject to Infantile
paralysis, and evey mother should make
an effort to cornbut It. ,