T, E AI if IEiAN f)AI fl MONDAT JAN. 22, 19455 $3,000 Goal Based on 'Dime a Day ontriu itions 1" . Sale of Dime Dailies To Aid Local Drive Student Volunteers To Help in Campaign (Continued from Page 1) Fortunately, because of the work of the state chapters of the Na. tional Foundation and the funds contributed in past March of Dimes drives, preparations for ho- pitalization and treatment had been made previous to the out- break of the epidemic. AN EDITORIAL: -s '.- March of Dimes INFANTILE paralysis last summer struck America the hardest blow the nation has sustained in the history of the disease in 28 years. Only twice before in the recorded history of the disease have so many of the American people been placed on the epi- demic casualty list. However, through the public's forethought in contributing dimes and dollars to the fight against the dreaded polio, a great program of epidemic aid was put into motion immediately. Physical therapy technicians from non-epidemic areas were borrowed, and wool for hot pack treatments, respirators, ap- paratus of all kinds were immediately sent to the epidemic areas. s SENDING this aid took money, and lots of it. In Ann Arbor alone $8,000 was spent for the care of those stricken with one of the most dreaded diseases known by modern science today. To care for the 12,000 stricken persons for only one year would have required at least 300,000,000 dimes. Fortunately the dimes and dollars previously given by the people of the United States helped to lessen the toll of dead and spared many from crippling. THE DIMES and dollars you contributed helped make this aid p )ossible,. Costly facilities, necessary to care for polio sufferers were on hand and were sent to the hospitals where they were needed. A corp of girls, under the direction of Pat Coulter, assistant women's director of the student March of Dimes committee, in addition to tak- ing posts on campus to sell the Dime Daily, have also been stationed as ushers at the campus theaters, bank, and hospital. Last week volunteers from Sig-- nma Delta Tau, Pi Beta Phi, Kap- pa Alpha Theta, and Kappa Delta were stationed at University Hos- pital. Manning the booth at the campus branch bank was Hill (louse. This week, volunteers will con-. tinue to be stationed at the booths. Ushers at the theatres will be girls from Newberry, Jordan; Marthay Cook, Mosher, Stockwell, Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Gam- ma Delta, Alpha Phi, Alpha Xi Del- ta, and Stevens Co-operative. The list continues with Chi Om- ega, Collegiate Sorosis, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alphi Ep- silon Phi, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Zeta Tau Alpha. Women from the auxiliary houses: Hill, Woodlawn, Lockwood Manor, Madison, Oakwood, Ridgeway, State Street, Tappan, Washtenaw, and White will be stationed at the cam- pus bank this week. Miss Schumacher, chairman of the county drive is assisted by Mrs. Carl Stuhberg, chairman of the banks, Louis Hallen, chairman of business and industry; Miss Dorothy Goss, co-chairman of hospitals with Mrs. Fred Matthei, and Walter G. Maddock, chairman of publicity. Miss Ethel McCormick will assist Miss Schumacher at the Univer- sity. Student chairman are Deb Par- ry and Pat Coulter, women's chair- man; Aggie Miller, publicity; Jim Plate, general chairman; and Hen- ry Hordlt and Joe Milillo, men's chairmen. of It is a good thought to bear in mind during the 1945 March Dimes campaign. CONTRIBUTE YOUR DIMES TODAY. -Evelyn Phillips' Stan Wallace Ray Dixon -Photo by John Horeth WHIRLPOOL BATH--John, age 16, is shown in the physical therapy pool at University Hospital. A polio victim, John recently asked the members of h is high school hand to donate the money theiy had saved to buy him a present to the March of Dimes. John was stricken in November, when the Crippler attacked him in his left leg. He was hospitalized f or 39 days, when he was permitted to return home. Hie returns periodically to the hospital for treatmen t, provided for by the dimes and dollars contributed by the public to the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. 'MIRACLE OF HICKORY': - - NorthGarlin 'OVilage Faces POlio Plague With Swift Action; No Panic On May 30, 1944, in the pleasant little city of Hickory in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the admittance of a child stricken with infantile paralysis to the isolation ward of Charlotte Memorial Hospital' was the first of a series of events that! were to make the history of this city more than a record of statistics. It was the beginning of "TheI Miracle of Hickory'" Three days later three or four more stricken youngsters were carried through the hospital doors. Still there was no apprehension in North Carolina-'just a half-dozen pre-sea-1 son cases of polio. It was not un- precedented. Then it happened. Like a tidal wave the plague of polio swept through the Catawba River Valley, and its victims poured into the hospital. Youngsters with painful, useless limbs, some unable to swal- low or scarcely able to breathe, came from mining villages in the hills and mill town towns in the valley to the hospital. It was all too evident then. North Carolina faced a serious epidemic. into the hospital; the fire departmental' installed hydrants and fire hoses;1 the telephone company donated a, switchboard and ran in trunk lines;E linemen voluntarily worked days and nights wiring and re-wiring the hospital. State educational authoritiesg a bus to transport nurses to and fi their sleeping quarters in thec the police department manned bus; and two respirators were ceived within a few hours. gave from city; the re- WACs, who pitched in and helped to set up the tents. By Nov. 1, the National Foundation had sent $389,474.17 in emergency epidemic aid to North Carolina, and the end of need was not in sight. The results achieved at Hickory speak for themselves in a report given as of Sept. 20, 1944. Of the 344 patients treated up to that time, only 12 had died-less than 3%. This is extremely low for epi- demic outbreaks. Of all the patients treated, 68% made complete recoveries, with lessj than 32% having residual paralysis. And of those with some paralysis, at least half will make sufficient recov- ery to lead full and normal lives. Most of the earliest victims have been discharged. On visiting days those children still in the hospital proudly show off their accomplish- ments in re-use of muscles crippled, so short a while ago, by polio. When the Hickory Emergency Hospital opened its doors fifty-four" hours after the idea was conceived, workmen were still busy in one ward as thechildren were placed in another. When the number of cases con- tinued to mount and the emergency wards were completely filled, the Army arrived with hospital tents, a corps of soldiers and laborers, and Local Chapter Expenses for Year Revealed $8,000 Spent for Aid to Polio Victims The Ann Arbor Chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis spent approximately $8,000 for equipment and hospital bills for children stricken with polio last summer, according to the annual report of the chapter. The chapter bore the expense of 158 hospital cases during the acute period of the disease and during re- examinations. The first infantile paralysis victim was admitted to University Hospital on July 16, and the last one on Nov. 24. Forty-five cases were diagnosed, and thirty-eight of those cases were in need of assistance. Credit inquiry was not made, and the qualifications of indigency was waived. In those cases where hos- pitalization insurance could be used, the Foundation contributed the mon- ey for the balance of the bill. Respirators, hot packs, and other equipment was supplied by the chap- ter, and bills were settled on a month to month basis. Typical cases are those of E-, admitted on Oct. 8, discharged on Dec. 19, total costs $464; J-, admit- ted on Oct. 10, discharged on Nov. 11, costs $219; H-, admitted on Sept. 8, discharged Dec. 18, costs $708; G-, admitted on Oct. 25, discharged, Nov. 7, costs $486; M-, admitted on Sept. 16 and still. being treated, costs to date $2,691; and R-, admitted on June 23, discharged on Sept. 22, costs $572. Polio1 Is Social Problem, Dr. Eno~elke States Health Conmmissioner Explains Committee "Infantile Paralysis, like tubercu- losis, is a social problem with a medi- cal aspect," stated Dr. Otto K. Engel- ke, Washtenaw County Public Health Commissioner in an interview yes- terday. Taking this attitude, the Wash- tenaw County Infantile Paralysis Committee maintains a policy of paying bills not by request, but ra- ther through contacting those hospi- talized and offering to pay their expenses. Hospital Totals Polio put 43 people in Washtenaw County hospitals in 1944, Dr. Engel- ke declared, and of these, 38 had their bills taken care of by money from the annual March of Dimes campaign. Of the remaining cases, two gave no answer and three re- fused to accept payment, the com- missioner said. The chapter has spent a total of $8,000 to date on these people, Dr. Engelke contin- ued. Total cost ran from a minimum of one dollar on one case where the' patient was covered by insurance to $2,691.66 on a case on which the committee is still paying. There are few people who can stand the cost of hospitalization for the disease, Dr. Engelke pointed out. Running through a list of accounts, he named $464, $708, $214 as typi- cal figures. Necessity For Drive "This points out the necessity for a successful drive this year whether or not we have an epidemic be- cause during epidemic years the costs run so high," Dr. Engelke stat- ed. Some of the money obtained from the drive goes for research. The School of Public Health at the Uni- versity is one of the principal reci- pients, last year receiving well over $300,000, said Dr. Engelke. The Na- tional Foundation receives a portion of the proceeds and offers to under- write local epidemics in the event that local funds should be insuffi- cient, he added. "Infantile Paralysis may strike anyone no matter what his age. We want everybody in Washtenaw County to have the best of care. The March of Dimes insures this and I think it is a good investment," Dr. Engelke concluded. Servicemen Pledge Help Fighting men all over the world are saluting home front battles against infantile paralysis, enemy of all Americans. A -. 1 - L- L - 1 .. 41 5. .. .. , v X 4 v C. .4 F ormer Poo Victims Are Now in Service' Rehabilitated Men iNFANTILE PARALYS Now Serve Overseas nied by her nurse, is attlingforfredmtodinstalled in the physica B~atln for freedom toay ar e the National Foundath men who had to win a tough personal victim, but she consent battle in order to get into the big vcibtsecnet push against Nazis and Japs. with polio was availabl These are former victims of infan-, tile paralysis and their courage, TRANSMISSION- forged on the rack of suffering in a'- life-or-death tussle with the Crip- pler, doubtless helped condition them i nfantile for their present day fight in global1 War; is rgr They now are veterans of Guadal- I Prog canal and other Pacific islands; crew members of Flying Fortresses in "The progress of polior missions over many countries; they search s noted by the are with our two-ocean Navy and! accumulation of knowledg they are numbered among foot-slog-! over a period of years,"I ging "GI Joes" grimly battling on C. Brown, instructor of anyro tsm hsr ogy in the school of pu Many letters from these boys are! stated yesterday. received by chapters of the Na- .A modern laboratory f tional Foundation for Infantile Pa- has been set up atrthe ralysis, which aided them back to has been done in mc health with funds supplied through throughout the country, the March of Dimes in celebration of mine the means of trans the President's birthday. the filterable polio virus search done here is und A ervision of Dr. Thomas F Farm A reas chairman of the departm r rJ1 .demiology. SET A PATTERN: 3,000 Vietims Rehabilitated; Returned to Work Within Year IS EQUIPMENT-Little Dona, age 6, accompa- shown using one of the many whirlpool baths A therapy department of University Hospital by of for Infantile Paralysis. Dona is not a polio ed to pose for the picture, since no child inflicted e for a picture at the time. --- - ----- -- Paralysis Research essing, Says Brown myelitis re- painstaking ge acquired Dr. Gordon epidemiol- blic health or research school, as ost schools ,to deter- smission of . The re- er the sup- Francis, Jr., ent of epi- Monkeys have been found to be the only animal susceptible to the di- sease. "The purpose of our studies to determine the method of transmis- sion of this filterable virus is also to obtain information on the extent of the virus in the population and its distribution," Dr. Brown continued., Another important point of re- search is being conducted in the search for a diagnostic test for the determination of the disease. No laboratory test has been discovered as yet for the diagnosis and detec- tion of the disease. "This is one of the hardest tests to hit, but if one could be found, it would be one of the greatest aids in our research on this disease," Brown comment- ed. "No definite conclusions have been reached yet," he said, "but we are constantly and steadily adding more evidence. Someday soon all the evi- dence will be pieced together, and some definite conclusions will be de- termined. That may take years, or we may find the solution any day. That is something that cannot be determined." There are various strains of the There was no panic. But there was swift action. The National Founda- The National Foundation for In- tion for Infantile Paralysis checked fantile Paralysis, in cooperation with hospital facilities, for the situation e had taken a turn for the worst. The existin government agencie isolation wards were unable to cope day setting a pattern for the reha- with the number of cases. A score bilitation of handicapped persons more of stricken youngsters awaited which will serve in good stead as admission, and there was no place to wounded veterans return home to re- put them. sume their places in civilian so- Within 48 hours the National ciety. Foundation had sent $50,000 to pro- Victims of poliomyelitis are even' vide for immediate hospitalization of now opening up new avenues of hope polio victims in whatever hospital for those men who will come back facilities could be found, permanently disabled by proving The town immediately swung into everyday that a disability need not action. From the Army Supply De- stand in the way of economic pro- pot at Charlotte three hospital tents ductivity and independence.I were borrowed and erected on the Survey Conducted hospital grounds; nurses for an A survey recently dompleted by the emergency tent ward were recruited. Federal Security Agency, Office of Fortunately materials and equipment Vocational Rehabilitation, reveals were on hand. They had been pur- that 3,192 handicapped infantile chased over a period of years against paralysis cases were economically just such an emergency by the Coun- rehabilitated during the year ending ty chapter. June 30, 1943 by the State Rehabili- Despite the increased facilities, tation Agencies alone. This group, it was obvious that Charlotte and according to the survey, is repre- Gastonia would be unable to carry sented in almost, every conceivable the full load of the epidemic. And profession and occupation. still the cases poured in. A total of 448 are engaged in pro-r Out of this dire need grew the fessional or semi-professional jobs Emergency Infantile Paralysis Hos- -among them are doctors, engi- pital-"The Miracle of Hickory." One neers, ministers, artists, musicians, day it was a small summer camp for laboratory technicians, architects, underprivileged youngsters. Fifty- and photographers. Over 200 are four hours later it was a functioning working as salesmen, investigators, hospital receiving polio patients. store owners, store managers, etc. Volunteer crews of carpenters, Over 1,000 are doing clerical work, plumbers, sanitation men, electri- while another 1,000 are engaged in cians, and other workmen undertook such trades as carpentery, auto and the job of rounding up beds, blank- airplane repair work, machine oper- ets, sheets, wools for hot packs, ating, and tool grinding. washing machines, and wringers and A Potent Factor all the multitudinous articles of The acute manpower shortage of} equipment necessary for operating a the past few years has been a po- polio hospital. tent factor in making effective this The hospital opened on June 24, rehabilitation work, and in this re- just three days after plans were i spect War has served a peculiarly. made. Under hastily installed flood- constructive purpose, according to lights workmen labored through the survey. the night transforming the camp Because many employers who nev- buildings into a two-ward forty- i er hfovre cnsidered hiring handi- the disability, it rarely changes the basic desires of the man, or the need for their fulfillment, the report stated. Practical Purpose Rehabilitation serves the practi- cal purpose of reducing to a mini- mum the economic problem which a large group of handicapped persons creates, at the same time performing an immeasurably important service in the interests of the individual's social adjustment. The first step in the rehabilitation of the handicapped person is the restoration of his maximum physi- cal independence. In many polio cases the disease has entailed partial weakness or complete loss of move- ment. In many instances the loss has incapacitated the victim to such a degree that he is unemployable. Physical Therapy Often proper physical therapy will restore at least some degree of func- tion; often surgery will do the trick -and this may mean one or a whole series of operations. Sometimes properly fitted braces or othopedic shoes will enable a victim to walk again, or one who walked painfully to walk more easily. Perhaps only a little care is need- ed, and perhaps a great deal. The nation cannot, if only from a point of sound economy, permit him to go unaided, the report continued. Limitations on Funds Through its chapters, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, is providing whatever care is neces- sary to restore to polio victims their maximum physical independence, within the limits of present-day knowledge of the treatment for this disease. This aid is financed by contribu- tions to the March of Dimes in cele- bration of the President's Birthday. Aid is given regardless of the age, race, creed, or color of the victim, ''nw rT fn nh nn n o rTTn-t nny y{-- n- -I i I 1944 Epidemic The Crippler, infantile paralysis, visits the lonely farmhouse as well as the city tenement and the town mansions. This was proved again last year when America experienced the sec- ond worst epidemic of infantile paralysis in its history. Following its usual undiscriminating pattern, polio invaded the farms of the rich n.,dnn -n.k nd mac-,frn omn.lik The cause of infantile paraly-I sis is known. It is caused by ax. infinitesimal filterable virus. Sev- eral suspects for transmission are now being considered. Among these suspects are water, sewage, flys and other insects, wild rod- ents, and humans. "More and more evidence is pointing to the man to man method of transmis- sion through the human intestinal tract and other methods," Dr. Brown said. "None of the suspects has been termed the guilty one as yet," he rn+tnis 9 mopv m a honi ctn- , ; I