Infectious polyneuritis; a disease to be distinguished from poliomyelitis.

Fourteen cases of infectious polyneuritis of a kind not previously reported in this country were observed in Los Angeles-three of them in hospital personnel. The clinical features at onset were headache, fever, dizziness of peculiar order, weakness and aching muscles. Motor weakness then developed, more severe in the proximal muscle groups and more often in the lower extremity. Sensory changes were also present. In two cases, debility was so severe as to necessitate prolonged inactivity. The condition was observed in 13 females (one a child) and one man. The age range was 10 to 65 years. Similarity of this illness to one reported in England in 1954 was noted. Treatment included administration of multiple vitamins, B(12) and thiamine chloride. Recovery occurred in from one week to over ten months.