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INFANTILE paralysis is more general, more widespread and more devastating than is generally appreciated by the lay public at large or the medical profession. Mere statistical records do not tell the story, for the tragic part of infantile paralysis is that it leaves a handicap which is too often projected throughout the duration of the life of the individual. And in such cases the results do not stop with the individual, but seriously affect the family and even the state.

The George Warm Springs Foundation is a centre for the study and treatment of Poliomyelitis (commonly called infantile paralysis) and is one of the very few organizations or institutions devoting its energies entirely to this one disease. Our active work is mostly concerned with the after-treatment, but we cannot divorce ourselves from participation in all phases of the problems presented by this disease. These problems may be briefly summarized as follows:

1. Research for prevention.
2. Diagnosis and treatment during acute stage.
3. After-treatment.
4. Rehabilitation -- Adjustment of lives of handicapped people to happy productivity.

Through the country are many individuals, laboratories and organizations struggling with the various phases of the general problem. Let us -- the trustees, the present patients, the former patients, and the friends of the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation -- leave no stone unturned in cooperating with all of these forces. In fact, let us try, individually and collectively, to provide stimulus and leadership to the ends of coordinating all of these forces into one vast national crusade against infantile paralysis. The maximum that we in may hope for is practical elimination of the disease; the minimum, is the material alleviation of the suffering, disability and economic disturbance caused by the disease.

Certainly there is need for such coordination and leadership. Among the people who have made a detailed study of infantile paralysis it is a generally accepted theory that convalescent serum is efficacious if properly prepared and administered at the right time, and yet the medical staff of the Foundation continually comes in contact with cases where the doctors have not even known of the existence of the serum. Again, many of them know of the serum, but do not know where to turn to find it when the need comes. And since the time element is most crucial, it is vital that this information should be disseminated and that centres should be established throughout the country where such serum may be available and of easy access to registered practicing physicians.

The final and last word has not been said about infantile paralysis. There are few real authorities on the subject. If you and I and the rest of us involved directly or indirectly in the work of the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation are to really stimulate such a crusade, we must approach it in the spirit of humility. No swaggering, self-appointed leadership is indicated. Our one objective must be to further the cause, and to that end let us not give a moment's thought to titles and credit for the work, but simply enlist as privates in what we shall hope to make a sizable and invincible army -- a legion, if you please -- in this Crusade.