PARALYSIS PATIENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 December 1936, Page 7

PARALYSIS PATIENTS

ANOTHER DEATH AT DUNEDIN TWO MORE CASES [PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, December 21.. The second death from infantile paralysis occurred this morning, rhe victim was a 15?. year-old boy who had previously been admitted to the Dunedin Hospital suffering from severe respiratory paralysis. The number of cases notified between the hours of 9- a.m. and 5 p.m. to-day was smaller than for some time, only two patients being admitted to hospital. Both these cases—a boy of four years and a boy of 14 —were, however, positive ones, the elder child showing some paralysis and the younger no signs of paralysis at all. The Medical Officer of Health, Dr. T. McKibbin, stated that a girl of four years of age, who had 'been admitted on December 15 as a positive case was now showing signs of paralysis, but as a rule few positive cases without paralysis developed paralysis later. -— LATEST REPORTS DUNEDIN, December 22. The number of paralysis admissions to the hospital for the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. shows a welcome decrease, to two boys aged 4 and 14 years. Both are positive cases, the elder showing some signs of paralysis, but the younger none. The total of paralysed cases is now 21. WELLINGTON SUSPECT. WELLINGTON, December 22. Th© District Health Officer. Dr. McLean, reports that a five-years-old boy, who arrived from Dunedin during the week-end, has been isolated in the Wellington Hospital, as it is considered he is suffering from infantile paralysis. ■ LATER. The Acting Superintendent of the Hospital. Dr. Cairnpy, told a reporter that laboratory tests indicate the patient is suffering from infantile paralysis, though paralysis lias not set in. Every precaution, is being taken, and the child is under observation. The child came from Dunedin, with the mother and brother. SUSPECTS AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, December 22. Two suspected cases of infantile paralysis were reported at Christchurch to-day. but one proved negative. The other is still under observation. CHI LORE N TH A VELLT NG. 1 NEED FOR PRECAUTION. CHRISTCHURCH, December 21. A threat that he would use the plenary powers with which be is armed by the Minister for Health to prevent children travelling to the infected areas was made to-day by the Medical Officer for Health for the Canterbury-Westland district. Dr. r J. Fletcher Telford, when he told a reporter of his amazement when he learned that certain parents wished to take their children on a visit to the infected areas of Otago.

“I was very surprised when I heard of the intentions of these people,” he said. “It is certainly not a fair thing to take children into a district where they run a definite risk of contracting the disease. It is my intention to oppose such movements to the utmost, and I have the necessary plenary powers from the Minister to enforce it. I hope that these people will take note of this and act accordingly, as I do not wish to have to give statutory notice in each case. However.” he said, “I am quite determined about it, and I am prepared to take those steps it the parents will not see reason.” No definite steps are being taken to isolate Dunedin, Dr. Telford said, although in such cases as those he had just referred to some action was necessary. The Director-General of Health, Dr. M. 11. Watt, could give authority for the Railways Department to refuse to carry children to or from Dunedin, and if that was done inspectors would also be required to watch the main highways.

“I do not want to make it unreasonable, but people must be sensible,” he remarked. “On the other hand, there will be no interference with the return to Dunedin of those whose homes are there.”

A reporter was told by the guard of the north-oound train from Dunedin which arrived at Christchurch last evening that the-number of children leaving that city was very small. He thought that there were no restrictions on travelling from the city, but in recent days the number of children on the north-bound expresses had seldom exceeded 12, and this number, he thought, was rather smaller than the number usually travelling at this timcof the year. NASAL SPRAYS DANGER. WELLINGTON, December 22. A warning against the use- of nasal spravs was given by Dr. F. S. McLean, Medical Offlcer of Health at Wellington. Outlining the precautions taken against infantile paralysis, Dr. McLean said that the Department strongly urged parents not to use any prophylactic treatment at all, unless under advice from their own doctor. The use of nasal sprays containing substances supposed to tan the sensitive nasal membrane might do irreparable harm. Parents should isolate themselves as much as possible in their own homes. Adults as well ns children could carry and spread the disease, and thus the suggestion that children should be prevented from leaving Dunedin would be ineffective, if adults were allowed to travel. ADVICE TO PARENTS, DR. TELFORD’S STATEMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, December 21. “If this epidemic spreads through the Canterbury-Westland Health District it will not be a matter of a week or so, it will take from three to five months to stamp out, and for that reason the people must realise their responsibility in acquainting themselves with the necessary precautions to retard the spread of the disease.” This statement was made by the Medical Offlcer for Health, Dr T,