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This Question Of Infantile Paralysis

Creator: Robert H. Rankin (author)
Date: January 30, 1938
Publication: The President's Birthday Magazine
Publisher: National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis
Source: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library

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4. Discovery of the port of entry (nerves in the nasal area).

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5. Prevention by nasal spray of alum -- picric acid -- zinc sulphate (used in this summer's epidemic).

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6. The new improved nasal spray.

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7. Serums (as yet unproven).

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8. Vaccination (experiments still going on).

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9. Work with endocrene glands.

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10. The iron lung.

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11. The after-care with water.

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12. Stream-lined light metal braces.

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13. The corset.

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14. The spinal fusion operation.

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15. The stabilization of the foot operation.

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16. Countless aids towards muscular strengthening, balancing and correction.

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17. Warm water swimming.

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18. Death from suffocation reduced practically to nil.

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19. Early symptoms.

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These great laboratories in all sections of the country have already received grants and have donated facilities, men and equipment towards the endless fight against poliomyelitis. They need the support of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to carry on the heroic work that they have started:

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Stanford University, California.
University of California, California.
University of Southern California, California.
University of Chicago, Illinois.
Yale University, Connecticut.
Harvard University Medical School, Massachusetts.
University of Michigan, Michigan.
Johns Hopkins University, Maryland.
Long Island College of Medicine, New York.
New York University, New York.
College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.
Health Research, Inc., New York.
University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania.
Western Reserve University, Ohio.
University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin.

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In spite of seventy-five years of continuous research, in spite of the great advances made in the past ten years, of the hopes that have arisen from serum, vaccine and nasal sprays, of the magnificent work now going on throughout the country, four questions that every mother and father in America asks cannot be answered:

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"1. Will my child be paralyzed?

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"2. If the first appearance of muscle weakness involves an arm or leg, will that be all, or will it advance to other parts?

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"3. What chance is there of death?

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"4. Will the paralysis be permanent?

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"These queries are simple and to the point and deserve answers which with equal directness convey the satisfaction of authoritative finality. But the honest and experienced physician, notwithstanding all that is known about poliomyelitis today, still must say, 'I do not know.' However, the situation is not quite so devoid of hope as such a terse reply suggests."

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So says Dr. George Draper in Infantile Paralysis.

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True enough, partial and sometimes satisfactory answers can be given to these queries. A frantic mother can be consoled, but she cannot be definitely and honestly assured.

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The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis has set as its ideal the complete solution of these problems. They can -- they must -- they WILL be solved!

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