Statement on the New National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis

2 As I have said, the general purpose of the new foundation will be to lead, direct, and unify the fight on every phase of this sick- ness. It will make every effort to ensure that every responsible research agency in this country is adequately financed to carry on investigations into the cause of infantile paralysis and the methods by which it may be prevented. It will endeavor to elim- inate much of the needless after-effect of this disease - wreckage caused by the failure to make early and accurate diagnosis of its presence. We all know that improper care during the acute stage of the disease, and the use of antiquated treatment, or downright neglect of any treatment, are the cause of thousands of crippled, twisted, powerless bodies now. Much can be done along these lines right now. The new foundation will carry on a broad-gauged educa- tional campaign, prepared under expert medical supervision, and this will be placed within the reach of the doctors and the hospitals of the country. The practicing physician is in reality the front line fighter of the sickness, and there is much existing valuable knowledge that should be disseminated to him. And then there is also the tremendous problem as to what is to be done with those hundreds of thousands already ruined by the after- effects of this affliction. To investigate, to study, to develop every medical possibility of enabling those so afflicted to become economically independent in their local communities will be one of the chief aims of the new foundation. Those who today are fortunate in being in full possession of their