Epidemic poliomyelitis

Abstract

1.Multiple cases of poliomyelitis in families show that the majority of the cases developed at the same time. Also that in these multiple cases the children probably obtained the virus at the same time and from the same source, suggesting means other than contact as the mode of spread. 2.Fresh unwashed or unpeeled fruits and vegetables were eaten in 206 of the 206 cases of poliomyelitis surveyed. 3.Direct contact was traced in only 13.6 per cent of the 241 cases surveyed. 4.No evidence was found that water supplies, milk supplies, or swimming pools were means by which the disease was disseminated. 5.Bites of insects, such as flies and mosquitoes, suggests a possible means of virus spread. 6.Closing of schools during the epidemic failed to reduce the incidence ofthe disease among the school age group. 1.Multiple cases of poliomyelitis in families show that the majority of the cases developed at the same time. Also that in these multiple cases the children probably obtained the virus at the same time and from the same source, suggesting means other than contact as the mode of spread. 2.Fresh unwashed or unpeeled fruits and vegetables were eaten in 206 of the 206 cases of poliomyelitis surveyed. 3.Direct contact was traced in only 13.6 per cent of the 241 cases surveyed. 4.No evidence was found that water supplies, milk supplies, or swimming pools were means by which the disease was disseminated. 5.Bites of insects, such as flies and mosquitoes, suggests a possible means of virus spread. 6.Closing of schools during the epidemic failed to reduce the incidence ofthe disease among the school age group.