The History of Polio
From The Encyclopedia of Common Diseases
Section 53, Polio
by J.I. Rodale, Editor in Chief,
Rodale Books Inc. 1962
Treatment of Polio Victims
Like it or not, the polio figures have been rising and, of course, with the incidence of the disease, comes the need for treatment and rehabilitation of the victims. In the earlier days, polio victims had their affected limbs splintered and bandaged into complete immobility until, even if there were a return of muscle power, the function had been partially or completely lost by atrophy of the limb. With the treatment devised by the gallant and forceful Australian nurse, Sister Kenny, a new attitude toward polio-paralyzed limbs was adopted. She proved that action, not immobility was the key to bringing affected arms and legs back to usefulness. Massage and whirlpool baths, etc., all aimed at the patient’s earliest possible attempt to use the affected part, became standard procedure in the treatment of paralytic polio. As a result, the National Foundation reports that, of every 100 new cases: 50 recover completely, 30 are left with some muscle weakness, but not enough to interfere with normal life; 14 have more or less severe paralytic involvement; and 6 die.
Dr. George Boines, whose article on the subject appeared in the Virginia Medical Monthly (June, 1956), told of how he improved on the recovery rates given above by using a unique course of treatment which includes:
- (1.) early ambulation,
- (2.) muscular relaxation,
- (3.) controlled and prolonged medical observation to attain maximum recovery and function of neuromuscular power still retained,
- (4.) special nutritional program. As can be imagined, we were especially concerned with the final part of the program-special nutritional program.
Polio Presents Added Nutritional Needs
Dr. Boines believes that the problem raised m the body by polio is a, disturbed nutritional absorption by the muscles and a loss of protein. He feels that both of these conditions can be remedied by improved diet and supplementary feedings. Dr. Boines even suggests that susceptibility to polio may be the result of the shortage of protein. As he sees it, the fundamental defenses of the body depend upon the presence of antibodies in the tissues and body fluids. The antibodies are protein, so if the protein intake goes down, the number of fighting antibodies is lessened and the chances for infection increase.
If the disease should strike, the protein situation becomes even worse. A negative nitrogen balance occurs with the usual high fever, and this results in a waste of the body’s protein – the worse the infection, the greater the protein destruction. Now, with essential protein low to begin with, and further lowered by the fever, it must be replenished as quickly and generously as possible, if recovery is to take place. This will not occur on a regular diet. A special effort must be made to insure sufficient protein intake.
General Diet Inadequate
Dr. Boines believes it is necessary to institute a nutritional program as soon as the patient is admitted to the hospital. Even if he is too weak to eat, the protein and glucose are poured into him intravenously. At this stage, the shortages are most acute and the body is in its most desperate need of continuing nourishment to arrest weight loss and to restore the size and strength of muscles. It is alarming to note that Dr. Boines is of the opinion that the general diets in hospitals are often inadequate in protein for any patient. They definitely do not furnish enough protein to supply a polio patient’s needs, so supplementary protein must be furnished. If we cannot depend upon an adequate diet in a hospital, where can we expect to find such a diet? “Adequate” protein is not enough when one is so ill as to be hospitalized, for then the body needs super amounts of all nutrients just to “keep up.” And what of the polio patients whose doctors are not conscious of the need for extra nutrition? If they must subsist on the general hospital fare, how much is their recovery hampered? How much do they lose in the process due to insufficient nutrition supply?