The Health bulletin [serial] - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

14 The Health Bulletin August, 1951utilized for the welfare of the patientwith poliomyelitis.We look forward to more definite progressin the control of this disease atits soirrce so that attacks may be prevented.Much work has been done towarddeveloping a preventive vaccineagainst poliomyelitis, but this has notbecome practical for use in hiunanbeings.The National Foundation for InfantileParalysis which sponsors the "March ofDimes" campaign, stands ready to givegenerous aid and financial assistance toneedy cases.POLIO POINTERS FOR 1951If Polio ComesDO allow children to play with friendsthey have been with right along. Keepthem away from new people, especiallyin the close daily living of a home.DO wash hands carefully before eatingand always after using the toiletespecially important when polio isaround.Also keep food clean and covered.DO watch for signs of sickness, such asheadache, fever, sore throat, upsetstomach, sore muscles, stiff neck orback, extreme tiredness or nervousness,trouble in breathing or swallowing.DO put a sick person to bed at once,away from others, and call the doctor.Quick action may lessen crippling.DO telephone your local chapter of theNational Foundation for InfantileParalysis, if you need help. Locatethrough telephone book or health department.No patient need go withoutcare for lack of money. Your chapterwill pay what you cannot afford.DO remember—at least half of all poliopatients get well without any crippling.DON'T get over-tired by hard play,exercise, work or travel. This meansmen, women or children.DON'T get chilled. Don't bathe or swimlong in cold water, or sit around inwet clothes.DON'T have mouth or throat operationsduring a polio outbreak.DON'T use another person's towels,dishes, tableware or the like.DON'T take children to places wherethere is polio. Ask your health department.DON'T take your child out of camp orplayground, where there is good healthsupervision.For more information about Polio writeThe NATIONAL FOUNDATIONfor INFANTILE PARALYSIS120 Broadway, New York 5, N. Y.Franklin D. Roosevelt, FovmderThis publication made possible by theMarch of Dimes. — Publication No. 31March, 1951AMERICAN HOSPITAL SERVICESETS ALL-TIME HIGHIN 1950American hospital service in 1950reached an all-time high mark, accordingto the 30th annual report of hospitaldata made pubUc by the Coimcil onMedical Education and Hospitals of theAmerican Medical Association.The number of patients admitted lastyear totaled 17,023,513, representing onenew patient every 1.8 seconds. In 1949,the total was 16,659,973, or one every1.9 seconds. Nongovernmental hospitalsaccomited for 304,955 of the increaseand federal, state, county and city institutionsfor 58,585.Hospital births showed a slight drop.2,815,806 in 1950 as against 2,820,791 in1949. Both figures represented one livebaby every 11.2 seconds.The report, prepared by Dr. F. H.Arestad, Chicago, associate secretary ofthe council, and Miss Mary A. Mc-Govern, was published in the current(May 12) Journal of the A.M.A. Itcovered 6,430 registered hospitals in theUnited States. Excluded were 299 hospitalswhich failed to supply data. Thesein 1949 had accounted for about 260,000admissions and 1.5 per cent of the servicesrendered.The 1,456,912 bed capacity of all registeredhospitals (1,439,030 in 1949) wasdivided as foUows: Federal, 186,793;state, 665,019; city and coimty, 185,229;nonprofit chiirch-related, 150,078; nonprofitassociations, 218,788; proprietary,