Prudential Health Series

"Polio": Infantile Paralysis

When polio strikes some child in a community, it is only natural for all parents in that community to become concerned about their own children. It is well to keep in mind, however, that even during an epidemic the number of persons who get the disease is very small in comparison with the total population. For example, approximately 45,000 cases were reported for the entire United States and Canada in 1949and this was a bad year. Furthermore, about 50% of those who get polio seriously enough to become paralyzed recover completely. Another large group has very slight after-effects. Comparatively few are seriously affected by the disease, and many of these can be considerably improved by means of surgery and prolonged special treatment. Very few cases end fatally. This does not mean, however, that polio can safely be ignored. The disease is a serious oneit is the most frequent cause of deformity in childrenand wise parents will take every possible precaution to help their children avoid contracting it. It is a contagious disease in which the gray matter of the spinal cord is attacked, producing destruction of certain cells and causing paralysis. The disease is caused by a virustiny bugs smaller than bacteria. Apparently these bugs enter through the mouth on food or in water that has been contaminated in some fashion, or through the nose in breathing. It is not conclusively known how the disease is spread. Many people harbor the virus without any reaction whatsoever. Many others have mild symptoms which they disregard as a summer cold. Once symptoms have developed, special laboratory studies made by experts are usually carried out to establish the diagnosis accurately. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 66660
Author: Prudential Insurance Company of America
Release Date: Nov 4, 2021
Format: eBook
Language: English
Publisher: Prudential Press
Publication Date: 1954
Publisher Country: United States