Evening Post. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1925. CONTINUOUS RESEARCH

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 31, 6 February 1925, Page 6

Evening Post. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1925. CONTINUOUS RESEARCH

The Health Department and the Hospitals are co-operating in a splendid effort to check the spread of infantile paralysis, to minimise the after-effects of-the disease, and to'obtain more knowledge of the cause and cure of the malady. For their work we may be sure that the members of the medical profession and the public generally are most grateful. The doctors can co-operate by collecting and supplying all facts which come to their notice, but the lay public can do little beyond following the advice that ia given and observing the official warnings. If it were necessary, the public would also supply funds to enable the research work and treatment to be extended. But we are convinced'there is no need for this to be done through a special appeal. Whatever extra, expenditure h^iuired will be readily sanctioned by the people's representives, both in Parliament and on the-Hospital Boards, and there is no fear of the work being hampered or cut short because of a shortage of funds. The Auckland" doctors have urged the Government to provide an adequate fund for bacteriological experimental research by medical practitioners and tie Minister of Health has stated that the Government intends to give every assistance to investigation of the disease.

■ How this research' should be carried on it is not for the layman to say; isut there is no doubt that particular value attaches to the work now being done in the Wellington and Auckland Public hospitals. A strong organisation has been built up for both research and treatment. What must be guarded against is not so much a hampering shortage of funds now, but waning interest which, will allow the research to slacken when the present epidemic' passes. Infantile paralysis has been present in New Zealand for many years, though the number of cases has not been great since 1916. When this year's outbreak has passed we may expect the disease to fall almost, to van^ ishmg point for several years. If that period of comparative freedom is used to the best advantage we may be able to prevent any future widespread outbreak. At feast we may hope to be prepared with supplies of the serum which is reported to be giving good results, and with a complete organisation which wll be ready to cope with the attack.

The Minister of Health states that the cause of the disease is known.to be a germ which was isolated years ago. But there re-' mains much yet to discover concerning predisposing influences, for example. How is it that some children are attacked and others appear to be. immune "2 What part do earners" p ] ay „„ the spread of the germ, and what is the explana won of the abortive cases? The answers to these and other questions are not to be expected by miraculous revelation, but they will come from patient, unceasing study. Valuable and far-reaching work has already been done, and it is of the utmost importance that the results of that work shall*not be lostj but shall be carefully col-

lected and added to steadily, especially when the epidemic has abated, and made available for the medical workers of New Zealand and of all other countries.