INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Evening Star, Issue 22526, 19 December 1936, Page 16

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

SLIGHT LESSENING Of SEVERE CASES FURTHER ADMISSIONS TO HOSPITAL I'liough there is a good deal of infection about, reported Dr T. M'Kibbin, district medical officer of health, this morning when inquiry was made respecting the outbreak of infantile paralysis, there has been a slight lessening in the number of cases definitely paralysed as a result of the disease. It was not desired to create a false impression in the minds of the public, said Dr M'Kibbin. There were actually over 40 children in the Dunedin Hospital, this number including those sent in from outside and an occasional case sent from another ward in the hospital. Of that number there were severe paralysis in only a small proportion of cases. Dour or five of the patients were heavily paralysed, and there was a group of about 18 with varying paralysis of a milder type, the remainder of the children being under observation. Dr M'Kibbin emphasised the fact that, though there was a slight lessening in the incidence of proper paralysis as shown by the. admissions during the past few daysj there was still every need for precautions to be observed. Strangely enough, the disease was still confined to Dunedin and district. A case for observation had been reported from Waikaka, near Gore, but if had not been definitely diagnosed. Under a voluntary agreement entered into with the picture theatres in Dunedin and suburbs, children'under 15 are not admitted. At a conference in Wellington it was decided that children under 12 should be prohibited from attending picture theatres, but the arrangement made in Dunedin that children under 15 should not he admitted still holds good. Details of the admissions to the Dunedin Hospital for the 24 hours ending 9_a.m. to-day are:—Positive cases, one girl, two hoys; _ doubtful case for observation, one girl from Green Island.

It is the wish of the authorities at the Bishop’s Palace, in Rattray street, that children should not attend mass to-morrow morning. It has been decided to cancel all Guide camps, not only in .Otago, but also throughout New Zealand. includes the Guiders’ camp at Geraldine.

SUSPECTED CASE IN CHRISTCHURCH NECESSITY FOR PRECAUTIONARY ' MEASURES [P»r Ukitbd Pjums iiinftmuj CHRISTCHURCH, December 18. Although there has been no definite diagnosis of infantile paralysis, a girl aged eight years was admitted to the Christchurch Hospital to-day as a suspected case of the disease, to be kept under observation. This was the only notification to-day in the Canterbury and Westland districts. Dr Telford, medical officer of health, emphasised the need for continued precautionary measures. He urged that businesses should dp _ all possible to avoid’ assemblies of • children. He had advised the abandonment of a beach gala at New Brighton, and the gatherings of children proposed by certain school committees had been prohibited. A children’s excursion to the .West Coast had been cancelled. STH.L UNDER NIERVATWN I Pi* United Pkmb Awuuit—e| CHRISTCHURCH, December ML The chid admitted to the .Christchurch Hospital as an infantile -paralyeie suspect is still under observation, with no definite diagnosis. CHILDREN AT PICTURES EDUCATION BOARD OBJECTS [Per United Pbrss Association.] INVERCARGILL, December 18, The steps taken ,to prevent an outbreak of infantile paralysis' in Invercargill. were strongly criticised .at the monthly meeting of. the Southland Education Board to-day., - , “ The schools are always a target,’* said Mr F. G. Stevenson. “ Why were the schools closed and the children left free, to attend the picture theatres? ” It was finally decided that it be * recommendation to the Health Department that steps be taken to prevent children under 15 ytors of age from attending indoor amusements. The discussion arose when, the early closing of the schools was brought before the board. Mr Stevenson said that a telegram received from the Education Department last Monday had mentioned the of impressing upon parent* the necessity for keeping their children as much in the open air as possible, “Parents should be more than impressed with that heed,” he said. “ They should be forced to recognise it. What is the use of closing the schools ,if the picture shows are to he left open to the children?” Mr W. Bell: Yes. There is far more danger now for children than when the schools were open. Mr J. Hargest, M.P.: Why not recommend parents to keep their children in the open air? *.; - The ’Secretary: Tha,t has Mr Stevenson: T should think that the Health Department has power to keep children away from the "picture shows. RECOMMENDATION TO EXHIBITORS BARRING CHILDREN UNDER TWELVE i [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 18. . As a preventive measure against the spread of infantile paralysis the Motion Picture Exhibitors’ Association (New Zealand); representing-'9O per cent, of the exhibitors in the Dominion, following a conference in Wellington with the Director-General of Health (Dr M. H. Watt) decided to recommend to members that all children under the age of J2 years be prohibited from attendance . at, pictures theatres. The secretary of the association I '(Mr J. Robertson, M.P.) said to-day that the prohibition was voluntary, but he had no doubt, that a,ll exhibitors would fall into line without dqlajv. METHVEN RESIDENTS ALARMED GATHERING GF CGNEYITEB [Pee United’ Panes Association.] ASHBURTON, December 18. Methven residents are sdahned in view of the infantile paralysis (outbreak at the holding of a camp in the vicinity by members of the Coneyito re- . ligious sect from all parte of ,tho Dominion. Already 260 people are assembled and the numbers are increasing daily. The county inspector found between 50 and 60 persons under 21 years of age and many children in arms. The proposed camp is to continue for some time. The inspector baa communicated with the district officer of health, who will place the matter before the Minister. HEALTH OFFICER INVESTIGATING [Pee United Pane Associati**.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 10. The medical officer of ’ health (Dr’ Telford) left for _ Methven to-day to investigate Conditions at the camp of the Coneyites. ‘ ‘ _ ; ’ ; The Ashburton County Conned asked for the Investigation, as over 200 are in camp from all parts of the South Island and more are arriving daily. Yesterday there were 60 persons under 21 years of age in the camp. AUCKLAND WOMAN’S AGITATION WANTS INTEMBLAND TRAFFIC BTIPPEI An indication of the anxiety that the outbreak in Dunedin has caused is given by a telegram which was sent by an Auckland woman to the Prime Minister asking that all traffic between the two islands should be stopped at once. A reply has not yet been received from Mr Savage. ,1