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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. y Mm / i te>Kr» ■Ri . ■ )»<?,' '|;S" :- ■■•■:. " V: s ’’sF* /■ .? jii^ y&BaKffifci W iv/s/,%&///W'4?,>'''‘& \ v». f y//. J Wt ■*•>,/*»• ' . *M£Z4js&,Wf&*BuF&K&iV&fafo&&&" tyWtX&frJ'-’* * w » 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 < Jit I y v 4 ... « jggr -Jj v m. jfipfl ' -ifSl® /•V /A/.//... /.>£#/£; : 7 V . - *~r- f: -1 -- / i f *%% * • u- > ' ,'^rp^' ~r 4 000 )0 ‘ v: ■ ; ; if". .My ‘ i. -< < <?- 'V) .. K. <o****" >.* ■ ■■ y iypjfew j& - ' <" A Mechanical Apparatus for Strengthening Arms and Back of Infantile Paralysis Victim*. .Wii ; -t v " a>*7?r»lfak\ |j&Mm£afeis-aj“\'Hlj»w>'-4. gCy? mHbiMu y£gt f, ! 'M. ■&: m , fW Efew<MspL-.-. Irmlft ■B 11 W a fn rui^ru ,* j flf/ £ I 1 I ®g| S 'WLI I 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- Don't-LET Thc Baby • Bf. Kiu-sro Don't let The Children Buv Fruits & Candies The Street 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. i r* 4 /». MM Mmm m. 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 Child Clean Morning® II * 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. ,