Multiple Sclerosis In U.S. “Commoner Than Polio”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29827, 21 May 1962, Page 13

Multiple Sclerosis In U.S. “Commoner Than Polio”

Multiple sclerosis, a disease affecting at least 500.000 persons in the United States, was six times commoner in temperate climates than in sub-tropical and tropical climates, Mr A. M Wilson, publicity officer for the Queensland Multiple Sclerosis Society, said in Christchurch last evening

Mr Wilson said the numbers for the United States were those known to medical authorities and this figure was higher than that for the notifiable and known cases of poliomyelitis "It is one of the commonest organic diseases of the central nervous system.” he said

In its simplest terms the disease could be best described by a comparison of the nervous system w’ith an electrical system, he said If the nerve fibres were compared with wires, then the disease attacked the insulation, and. depending on the severity ~t the attack, could cause short-cireuits The disease could affect sight, feeling, and balance and. when a person was badly afflicted, cause paralysis Its cause was unknown, and. so far as was at present known to medical science, it was incurable, although it had been known to medical science for 100 years, Mr W-Ison said The most common ages of contraction were between 27 and 32 More than one member of a family had been known to contract the disease, but it was not a

mental disease, nor was it contagious, said Mr Wilson Its effects on the oersor. affected and on his family and friends could be farreaching, Mr Wilson said. A man might have to give up his employment, or be unable to leave fiis house The age group was that of persons settling down, possibly with a house, a loan which had to be repaid and a young dependent family Purpose of Visit

Mr Wilson will address a meeting in the Red Cross Hall tomorrow night A Canterbury multiple sclerosis committee formed at a public meeting in March is organising the meeting He will address a similar meeting in Auckland on Thursday evening The aim of the societies. Mr Wilson said, was to establish registers of all known cases; keep the persons who had the disease informed of the progress of medical research; co-operate with the medical profession in research programmes: help to establish clinics: and. most important, to form voluntary groups of socially-minded persons who might visit those afflicted with the disease

His visit has been sponsored by the Queensland Multiple Sclerosis Society Mr Wilson said that he himself had the disease, and that for a number of years he had been affected morally, physically and financially A New Zealander by birth, he was last in Christchurch 21 years ago.