NO NEW CASES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23882, 26 February 1943, Page 4

NO NEW CASES

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

B.M.A. ASKS PARENTS TO KEEP CALM

Saying that no fresh cases of Infantile paralysis had been notified m Christchurch yesterday, Dr. E. R. Reay, president of the Christchurch branch of the British Medical Association, last evening asked parents to keep calm about the closing of schools as a precaution. He said that so far there had been only 10 cases in Canterbury in three weeks. Dr. Reay said some people seemed to be panic-stricken and were unnecessarily alarming themselves. One result of this might be that the small nurhber of doctors left in civilian practice might not be able to meet the demands on them. He said that yesterday one doctor received no fewer than 50 calls from parents who suspected that their children had infantile paralysis. He managed 'to visit 30 of these homes and in no case found any suggestion of infantile paralysis. The prevalence of a form of influenza was confusing some parents, Dr. Reay thought. He repeated that too many demands on doctors would break down the whole service of medical attention.

SYMPTOMS OF DISEASE

STATEMENT BY DR. TELFORD “Any symptoms of a mild influenzal type should be. regarded at the present time with suspicion as possibly indicating infantile paralysis in its mildest form,” said Dr. T. Fletcher Telford. Medical Officer of Health for Canterbury and Westland, when discussing the symptoms of infantile paralysis with a reporter of “The Press” yesterday. With the mild form of infantile paralysis the patient does not develop muscular weakness or paralysis. The symptoms in the mild cases clear up and the children who have been affected quickly return to their normal state of health. When attacked by a more severe form the individual is obviously ill. and tenderness of the limb or limbs may be elicited: actual weakness of the limb may be observed by asking the child to move it. If the child bends forward with the head approaching the knees he may complain of pain in the neck or spine as a result. This is a very significant symptom and if it is present medical aid must be sought immediately. In all forms of the disease perspiration is noticeable on the skin. Squint is also a symptom of the disease. Vomiting and diarrhoea may be present in the early stages. “It is now regarded as highly probable that the disease is of the intestinal tyue,” said Dr. Telford, “ an( L this being so, special attention should be paid to disinfecting the stools and urine of the patient. Those attending the patient should be particularly careful to wash their hands after removing soiled aprons or gowns, and they should invariably wash their hands before partaking of any meal Flies must be kept out of the sick room.”