INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 February 1925, Page 4

INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

ANOTHER HAWERA CASE. SIX NOW IN HOSPITAL. A boy of thre and a-lialf years, whose home is in town, was admitted to the Hawera Hospital this morning suffering from infantile paralysis. This makes six eases now under treatment at the hospital, three of which are from Hawera itself. The new patient, is not regarded as a very serious case, and the 'other children' are all reported to In' improving slowlv.

ANOTHER CASE AT PATEA. Another case of infantile paralysis was reported on Wednesday. The patient is a child who was staying, lor a while in the Hawera district, and is progressing favourably (says the Press). The case is a very mild one. TO COMBAT THE DISEASE. WHAT ’THE DEPARTMENT IS DOING. Criticism in Auckland in regard to the notions of the Minister and Department of Public Health in their campaign against infantile paralysis was referred to the Minister in Wellington by the Dominion, and drew from him some interesting comment, prior to his departure for the south. “I am exceedingly gratified,” said Sir Maui Pomare, “by the support afforded the department in the efforts to combat the epidemic, by press and public alike. It is obvious that without the loyal co-operation of the individual householder the department would he seriously handicapped in its efforts. There are, however, a few critics who consider the department is blameworthy, and who do not appreciate fully the action that has been taken. These people fail to discriminate between responsibility for the measures aimed at combating the epidemic. The department, of course, assumes full responsibility for the latter, and it is not out of place to review briefly the measures which have been adopted'in the present outbreak. HISTORY OF DISEASE.

“In the first place I wish to say that infantile paralysis is a disease from which we, as a community, are never wholly free. In any year, even the most favourable in this respect, a few eases of infantile paralysis are reported to the department every month. Occasionally, indeed, there may be more or less limited outbreaks occurring in certain parts of the Dominion. “The original cases in the present epidemic occurred at ' P-etone during the month of December. When these cases were reported to the department particularly strict precautionary measures were adopted. In every case the patient was forthwith, removed to the public hospital, and the whole household, including wage earners, was rigorously quarantined' on its own premises. There was no attempt on the part of the department -or myself to withhold any information from the public. In fact, I consider that in my position absolute frankness is essential, and if you will refer to your back files you will find that at no time has there been any evasion or attempt to misinform the public; the full state of affairs has been frankly given them. The occurrence of these cases was duly reported to the press, and the department made a clear statement as to the precautionary measures which should be adopted by householders and the public generally in order to limit the spread of the infection. SUSCEPTIBLE AGES.

‘ ‘When it was evident that the disease was not confined to its original locality, but was showing evidences of spread throughout Wellington and other parts of New Zealand, prompt measures were taken to limit- the congregation of those particularly susceptible to the disease —that is, children under the- age of 16 years. In infantile paralysis I may state in passing the brunt of the disease falls upon the age period 0 to 5 years, and it is an unusual occurrence for' a case to occur in anybody over the age of 16 years. The measures which were put into force were briefly the prohibition of gatherings of children, and there is no need for nie to detail these at the present moment. The department had used the public press very freely in making known to the general public the measures which they may adopt to safeguard themselves and their children against the onset of this disease. The newspapers have been most liberal in this respect, and I am most grateful for the assistance they have afforded the department. “In order to ensure that no measures were overlooked which could with advantage be adopted, the department conferred, both in Wellington and Auckland, with representatives of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association. This body expressed itself as in full accord with the measures which had been put into operation by the department, and had no further precautions to recommend, v RESEARCH WORK. “Now as to research. It was considered that New Zealand would be failing in its duty if it neglected to take. this opportunity of doing all in its power to investigate the origin and nature of this dread disease. We are fortunate in having in New Zealand laboratory workers who are particularly competent to investigate this phase .of the subject. The department appointed as a full-time officer for this work Dr. Lynch, who is at presentlocated at the Wellington Hospital, and it also arranged that Dr. Gilmour, the bacteriologist at Auckland Hospital, should be relieved from routine duties and left free to devote himself to this work. Although it is early to make any pronouncement, it can be said that these two officers are doing particularly goocL work and are laying the foundation, it is hoped, for considerable extension of our knowledge as to this disease. DOMINION FORTUNATE.

“As regards treatment. New Zealand is particularly fortunate. We can safely say that our hospitals are as well equipped both in staff and appliances as any institution in any part of the world, and those whose children have been so unfortunate as to become victims of this disease can be assured that the little patients are receiving all that is possible in the way ,of medical care and attention. “I do not think there is anything more I can say on this matter. I have' indicated sufficiently what the department has done and is doing generally. I think it will be conceded that in this present epidemic we have done as much, if not morq, than any country with a similar visitation.”