PRECAUTIONS IN CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21967, 16 December 1936, Page 12

PRECAUTIONS IN CANTERBURY

SOME RESTRICTIONS ON CHILDREN

INFANTILE PARALYSIS OUTBREAK

MO CASES OUTSIDE OTAGO

The outbreak of infantile paralysis in Otago,, which has so far been confined to that province, has led to the adoption of precautionary measures to prevent a spread of the disease to Christchurch. In addition to the closing of schools, and the abandonment of all fixtures calling for a congregation of children, restrictions have been placed on the use of the children's department of the Public Library. A warning has been issued by Dr. J. Boyd, of the Health Department, Christchurch, againsx the exposure of children to too much hot sunlight. The local educational authorities have made an appeal against children being allowed to congregate in any way, and the medical men of Christchurch have made certain recommendations to the Director-General of Health, the terms of which have not been disclosed. Health Department's Activities A suspected case in Christchurch, that of a child, was taken to the Christchurch Hospital yesterday morning for diagnosis. In the afternoon, however, it was reported that the child was not suffering from the disease. Up to last night no further suspected cases had been reported. As it turned out, the child was found to be suffering from a minor ailment, but, in line with its policy of leaving nothing to chance, admission to the hospital for observation had been ordered, said the Medical Officer for Health for the Canterbury and Westland Health Districts (Dr. T. Fletcher Telford), to a representative of "The Press." Unfortunately, the present hot weather was conducive to an outbreak of infantile paralysis, continued Dr. Telford. He was sure parents were fully aware of the seriousness of the disease, and the department was taking all possible steps to keep it from spreading to Canterbury. To this end he had made representations to Dr. McKibbin, medical officer for health at Dunedin, that the projected visit of two boys' cricket teams to Christchurch should be abandoned. He was pleased to be able to state that his representations on the point had been successful. Sun Risk Commenting on the statement that school holidays had been commenced a week earlier so that children, in view of the infantile paralysis outbreak, would be in the open air as much as possible, Dr. J. Boyd, of the Health Department, Christchurch, stated that this implied advice for children to be in the open should be supplemented, perhaps, by advice regarding protection from the sun. At the time of former outbreaks, it was considered that excessive exposure to the sun might have some effect in lessening resistance fto the disease, and parents were adyisd to that effect. This sun risk had not been definitely proved, said Dr. Boyd, but at 'the same time it would be a very commonsense precaution on the part of parents to see that children did 'not get too much hot sunlight, particularly on the nape of the neck. tfTor that reason parents, while allowing their children out of doors as much as possible, should see to ! it that their heads and necks were I adequately protected from hot sun by a suitable type of hat. Dr. Boyd went on to say that in any case, quite apart from the risk of infantile paralysis, excessive sun-bathing could be very infjurious to adults as well as to children. It was a good thing, if taken in moderation. All schools in Canterbury were closed for the summer vacation, as from yesterday morning. In most cases, the children assembled and, after collecting their books and term reports, were dismissed until the end of the holidays. It was announced from the office of the Education Board, yesterday, that the authorities wished very strongly to [discourage children from congregating in any way particularly indoors; otherwise the effect of the early closing down of the schools ■would be nullified. . All school picnics, prize-giving gatherings, and the like have been abandoned. Other precautions taken in Christchurch include the closing of the Tepid Baths to children under 16 years. Other Precautionary Measures At the Public Library, children are not being allowed to congregate at the reading tables in the children's department. The children, too, are being prevented from loitering over the choice of their books, so that there are never more than a ifew children in the department at any one time. That is all the action the library authorities are taking at the present time, but later they may take other steps, should this be deemed necessary. Health camps generally have been banned, but the Department of Health at Christchurch has been advised that there are no objections jto the holding of such camps for I children grouped together in an ; orphanage or kindred institution, but inot more than one such group may be brought together. It would have [jto be ensured, too, that the staff fwere not possible contacts. A conference of Christchurch [medical men was held yesterday to i'discuss the taking of precautionary measures before cases of infantile paralysis occurred in the city. Certain recommendations, which it was considered should be put into effect, ■were agreed upon, and a telegram was sent to the Director-General of Health (Dr. M. H. Watt) asking for authority to carry them out. Up till a late hour last night no reply had come to hand from Dr. Watt. The Christchurch Hospital authorities report that there has been a satisfactory response to the appeal issued for persons who have had attacks of infantile paralysis in the last seven or eight' years to give blood for the preparation of serum. More volunteers, however, are required in this connexion.