A NEW DISEASE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 204, 23 May 1919, Page 6

A NEW DISEASE

APPEARANCE IN AUCKLAND AND .WELLINGTON. An Auckland report states that a new disease of tho meningitis order has made its appearance in Auckland. It is a brain disease, which is technically called letlmrgio encephalitis, which was reported as epidemic in England last year, and was referred to in cable messages as a form of sleeping sickness, owing to its effect on the patient. The Home experience appeared to iudieato that tho new disease was due to a germ which found its way into the nasal cavities through the nostrils in somewhat tho same manner as acute anterior polioraclitis (infantilo paralysis), and liko that disease affected the nervous system and tho brain. Associated with contagion were tonsilitis, sore throat, and bronchial catarrh, but tho most marked feature was tho progressive lethargy which ensued. Tho patient became dazed and stupid, the eyelids becamo heavy, and the vision, blurred. Headaches and giddiness were an early symptom, and in some crises emotional hysteria occurred, whilst delirium, chiefly nocturnal, was not uncommon Lethargic encephalitis was made a notifiable disease by tho Local Government Board in England. In view of the fact that caseb of the now disease had been reported in Auckland, an inquiry, was , made last evening from a medical authority as to whether it was lenown if any case corresponding to lethargic encephalitis had occurred in Wellington. The disquieting answer was to the effect that there was a casea child—at present under close observation, which corresponded in a measure to the symptoms as set out in the report from Auckland. Whether it was a new disease or not as far as New Zealand was concerned could not be determined definitely without moro evideuco to go upon, and that evidence had yet to be produced. The evidence required would be the isolation of tho germ, which could possibly bo obtained by post-inor-tern investieation in cases where death ensued. Whether it was new or not depended 'on its disparity with other known germs of like families. As far as was known tho germ of lethargic encephalitis had not been isolated, so there was little to go upon. One might be induced to class tho new ailment as a form of meningitis supervening on influenza. Thero was little doubt that meningitis did. in some ins ances, follow influenza, sometimes with interval between. Many unpleasant after-effects of influenza had been voted, nnd this is possibly one of them inat i-9 practically all that could be said iinfil thev had further data about the alleged new disease. poaiUy derivable from the study of tfce. Auckland cases.