Philadelphia Paralysis

Philadelphia's Municipal Board of Health last week became excited about the incidence of infantile paralysis in the community, forbade all public and private (including parochial and Sabbath) schools opening before Sept. 20, closed "all other places where persons under 18 may congregate." Neighboring communities cowered. In lower Merion Township every one under 21 is forbidden entree to public assembly places.* Camden, N. J., across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, decided not to be frightened, permitted its 30,000 pupils to enter classes this week. Gettysburg, Pa. also postponed school opening.

The Philadelphia scare disturbed the U. S. Public Health Service very little. This year, unlike 1931, has not been an infantile paralysis year. Last year at this time the nation reported more than 1,000 cases weekly. Last week there were only 253 cases reported. But nearly half of those were in & around Philadelphia.

The virulence of infantile paralysis epidemics seems to have abated in recent years; or the treatment has improved. In 1916 mortality was 20%, last year 10%. No consolation is that to Philadelphians, who lost eleven children last week, 41 since the beginning of the year.

*Most people acquire immunity to infantile paralysis by the time they become adult.

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