RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR CONTROL OF POLIOMYELITIS

The imminent threat of widespread infantile paralysis beyond that of previous years has led to the release of statements by specially developed conferences which may well serve as a guide to physicians and the public. The New York City Department of Health on July 25, 1949, emphasized that the incubation period is seven to fourteen days but may be as short as three days or as long as forty-five days. The disease may be spread by (1) contact through discharges from the oropharynx, (2) fecal discharges and (3) flies. Although flies may be contaminated with the virus, reliable evidence is lacking of the spread of poliomyelitis by insects, water, food or sewage. During an epidemic infection is highly prevalent, but only a limited number of cases are clinically identifiable. For every known case between 10 and 100 persons have inapparent infection. Examination of the spinal fluid is an important although