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INFANTILE PARALYSIS. (Acute Anterior Polio Myelitis)

Categories: Diseases of The Nervous System

This is an acute
disease occurring almost exclusively in young children with paralysis,

followed by rapid dwindling of the muscles of the parts affected by the

paralysis.



Causes. Found in children under three years old. It is more common in

summer than in winter. It often follows scarlet fever, measles, and

diphtheria.



Symptoms. The onset is usually sudden; often the child is put to be
at

night seemingly well and in the morning is found paralyzed in one or more

limbs. High fever or chills, general feeling of illness, pain all over the

body, decided brain symptoms, like delirium or convulsions and

intermittent contractions of the muscles may usher in the disease. These

forerunning symptoms may last a short time or for several weeks, after

which the paralysis is noticed, being extensive as a rule, and affecting

one, two, or all of the extremities and sometimes the muscles of the

trunk. This general paralysis soon disappears being left permanently in

only one extremity, chiefly in one leg. The other symptoms disappear. The

paralyzed part atrophies (wastes) rapidly. The disease is very rare in

adults. If the paralysis does not show a decided change within the first

few months, full recovery is doubtful.



Treatment. During the acute stage there must be absolute quiet and rest

with a diet that is not stimulating, one that is easily digested; ice to

the head or cold cloths, counter-irritation to the spine; electricity

should be used after a few weeks. There is quite a good deal of this

paralysis, and the case should receive careful attention from the start.



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