POLIOMYELITIS PATIENTS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27909, 5 March 1956, Page 8

POLIOMYELITIS PATIENTS

REMARKABLE RESULTS OF TREATMENT DUNCAN HOSPITAL’S ACHIEVEMENTS The prevention of poliomyelitis has in «r ecent years occupied the attention of medical scientists the world over, and many encouraging results have been achieved in the development of vaccines. But the treatment of the disease is also a highly specialised field and one in which few private or public hospitals, through lack of time and facilities, are able to participate. The Duncan Hospital in Wanganui is the only hospital in New Zealand that does specialise in this work, and in the nine years of its existence some remarkable results have been gained in the treatment of poliomyelitis patients. Many sufferers who had regarded themselves as incurable cripples have, after treatment there, made such an improvement that they have been able to resume a life of almost normal activity. Although the treatment provided is probably the best available in New Zealand and Australia, and the running of the hospital must necessarily be expensive, there is no prohibitive fee. The treatment is entirely free to any poliomyelitis sufferer in New Zealand.

This was stipulated by Sir Thomas Duncan when he established the hospital at Silverstream about nine years ago. The hospital was later transferred to Durie Hill, Wanganui, and an adjacent farm owned by Sir Thomas Duncan was placed in trust, the profits to be used to meet the running expenses of the hospital. Sir Thomas Duncan also arranged for a physiotherapist, Mr William Eell, who is a cousin of Sister Kenny, to study the latest methods of poliomyelitis . treatment in the United States. When he returned. Mr Bell was placed in charge of the physiotherany treatment. This treatment is based on a system evolved by Sister Kenny and involves the frequent application of hot packs and a strenuous routine of free exercises to bring the affected muscles back int% use. Each I patient receives individual treatment, and a special routine is prescribed according to the nature and degree of his affliction. Few Considered Incurable

Although many of the patients have reached an advanced stage of the disease when they attend Duncan Hospital. few are considered incurable, and no patient is regarded as incapable of improvement. The treatment can last as long as is necessary, and all patients, after_being discharged, return periodically so that their progress can be noted.

A close co-operation is maintained between the Duncan Hospital and the Wanganui Public Hospital. The doctor in charge of the Duncan Hospital, who is also a poliomyelitis specialist, makes frequent visits to the public hospital to advise the medical staff on the treatment of patients suffering from poliomyelitis.

A former patient. Mr Graham Lane, returned to Christchurch recently after three months at the Duncan Hospital. full of praise for the work done by the staff there. A former Canterbury and South Island junior tennis champion. Mr Lane was stricken with poliomyelitis three years ago. He was a patient at the Christchurch Public Hospital for some time, later became an outpatient, and learned eventually that he was to suffer a permanent disability. Treatment at the Duncan Hospital produced such a marked improvement in his condition that several of his friends who were similarly afflicted also went there, and all, it is reported, have made outstanding progress in response to the treatment. Mr Lane has now taken up tennis again, and is playing in the second grade.

ANOTHER CHRISTCHURCH CASE

Another positive case of poliomyelitis was reported to the Health Department in Christchurch on Friday. It was of a 28-year-old man living in Christchurch.