NO NEW CASES

Evening Star, Issue 25699, 24 January 1946, Page 4

NO NEW CASES

INFANTILE PARALYSIS HISTORY OF DISEASE No new cases of infantile paralysis in Otago have occurred since yesterday, the total from the beginning of November, when the mild epidemic began, being IB cases, the majority of them curable. Several inquiries have been made of the ' Star ' as to when previous epidemics in the Dominion occurred. The first epidemic was in 1914, when there were 268 cases, and the first major epidemic was in 1916, when ] .018 cases occurred. There vrere other epidemics in 1925 (1,159 cases), and in 1927 (816 . cases). The last minor crisis was in 1943. and in 1944 there were only a few cases. The present' incidence of the disease in the Otago ■. health district recalls that infantile paralysis is as old as the .Egypt of the Pharaohs. It has only been recorded in New Zealand since 1890. It .is a disease producing atrophy and degeneration of the nerve tissues of the brain and spinal cord, explained a medical authority It is infectious, sometimes occurring in epidemics, but more frequently as a sporadic; disease. INFECTIVE MEDIUM. Various theories have been advanced from time to time in respect of the infective medium, but it is generally considered that the disease is caused by an ultra-microscopic virus -that is, an infective agent which cannot be seen by the most powerful microscope yet devised, and which is capable of passing through a fine porcelain filter. The virus or germ is said to enter the human body through the nose, boring into the olfactory nerve, and riding up it like a broad highway to the brain. .Experiments have been made for years to discover a satisfactory vaccine. Although research has been moderately successful there is still a great deal of work to be done. Adults are as likely to be carriers of the disease as children, and the wisest policy to adopt if there is any likelihood o'r fear of an epidemio. is not to panic, but to allow children to play naturally in the open air, avoid over-fatigue and overheated conditions. Mothers are recommended to keep the children at home in the open air as much as possible. Do not encourage visitors, and if any child becomes sick, isolate from the rest_ of the children and seek medical advice. Infantile paralysis is not always a good name, because it does not always attack infants, nor is it always followed by paralysis. It is called poliomyelitis because the damage centres upon the cells of the spinal cord which .control the motion of the -muscles. Once completely destroyed ✓these cells cannot regenerate themselves, but the mind is spared. In the epidemic form young adults are most frequently attacked. The coudition generally begins with a headache, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. Paralysis of the ',limbs and convulsions may occur. Speech and other special senses may be disturbed. In many cases recovery is complete. In others some degree of paralysis may be permanent, but the mortality \s not high. The sporadic form most frequently occurs in children. After slight indisposition with some rise of temperature, paralysis of one or more limbs may be noticed, and the limb is painful to the touch. The onset is usually abrupt, and is generally complete in 24 hours. Sometimes only groups of muscles are affected, but rapid wasting of tissues occurs.