INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 218, 12 September 1916, Page 7

INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

EPIDEMIC IX NEW YORK. (Special to thr "Star.") NEW YORK. July 28. I'nusually hot and humid weather since tho siimmor set in has resulted in not only discomfort but disease , in the great American cities. An epidemic of infantile paralysis, blamed upon dirt, has carried off thousands of children and given everybody a severe scare. The epidemic first took hold on June -6. and in the first week more than seven hundred rases were reported, of whom about 150 died. Strict quarantines were established against the infected districts, however, even the families who sought to move out being turned b3ek, and sanitary regulations being rigidly enforced. Ice-cream and sodawater dispensers were ordered to use only wooden or paper spoons, glasses and dishes had to bo washed in boiling water, the city's publio libraries were closed, and sewerage systems and canals were thoroughly cleaned out and disinfected at an expense specially ordered by the civic authorities, while the Federal authorities also took a hand, placing special quarantine hospitals at the disposal of local medical authorities and taking particular measures to prevent the contamination of immigrants with the disease. Fortunately the schools had been closed for the summer vacation until September 1. and the school guardians were able to lend a hand in combating the disease, which now seems to be thoroughly under control, although the disinfection of children's playgrounds and public resorts is still continued. Evidence of the disease, which is officially known as '•poliomyelitis," developed as far -west ac phicago.