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INFANTILE PARALYSISPoliomyelitis, an infection by a family of viruses that gets into the body and eventually reaches the anterior cells of the spinal cord, which it destroys, bringing on paralysis. The virus, one of the smallest known, is now known to be one of several different types. The condition may vary, from an attack that seems like a slight cold with a little stiffness of the neck to complete paralysis of the arms and legs and even of the breathing apparatus. In the pre-paralytic stage, there is fever, sore throat, a cough or a cold, along with headache, nausea or vomiting. Important and alarming symptoms include trembling of the hands or other parts of the body and pain or stiffness in the neck and back. A trained physician quickly detects the difference between infantile paralysis and the ordinary cold or the beginning of an infectious disease of a mild type.The spinal fluid may show changes in the number of cells, and the doctor may want to put the needle into the spine to get some of this fluid for examination.Vaccines called the “Salk vaccine” and the “Sabin vaccine” have been discovered, and a test involving millions of children has shown that these have protective value against infantile paralysis. The use of splints, frames and plaster casts in early cases is gradually giving way to the application of hot packs, which .bring about the relief of pain and spasm which are typical of the early stages of infantile paralysis. During the acute early stage, the child should be subjected to a minimum of handling.Difficulty with breathing may be controllable by some one of the special respiratory devices which are now available. After the acute illness has subsided, the patient may be treated by physical therapists and by orthopedic surgeons to bring about the maximum recovery possible. Under-water exercises, because they enable the development of muscles, are most useful. These muscles taking the place of those paralyzed. Braces and supports are used to encourage restoration to full activity.*28/318/5*

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TYPES OF INFECTION: WHOOPING COUGH OR PERTUSSISA germ called the Hemophilus pertussis is now recognized as the cause of whooping cough. The germ is spread from one person to another by direct contact or through coughing, sneezing, or talking.The attack of whooping cough is usually divided into four parts, one stage running into another. About seven to fourteen days after exposure the condition begins with symptoms like those of a cold, such as sneezing, running nose, and hoarseness. The fever is mild. In the second stage a cough gradually becomes hard, dry, and annoying; it is more severe at night. The exudation makes this known as the catarrhal stage. During the third stage whooping develops with a wheezing inhalation of breath. The face becomes swollen and red, the tongue protrudes and the eyes water. After a whoop there may be a pause, followed by another spell of whooping and coughing. The difficulty may result in vomiting. During the fourth stage there is a gradual lessening of whooping and paroxysms of coughing. The total duration of the condition may be six to eight weeks or more.Nowadays inoculation against whooping cough is possible with good vaccines. Children should be protected as they are protected against diphtheria.In the treatment of whooping cough the new antibiotics have been found effective, and the disease is now much less feared. Streptomycin, aureomycin and terramycin are effective. The cough is controlled with suitable medication and sedatives. The nutrition of children must be watched carefully, as severe coughing with prolonged paroxysms may seriously interfere with taking and retaining food. Food can be given frequently and in small quantities.*10/318/5*

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