INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 2064, 8 January 1925, Page 5

INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

WARNING TO PARENTS. BY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. (By Telegraph. -Press Association.) Wellington, this day. Cases of infantile paralysis continue to be reported, there being nine in the last two days. The Health Department has issued a statement deprecating the removing of children on the ground that such action is much more likely to spread the disease. It recommends parents to keep them out of public places and crowds, and expects the epidemic to pass away in a short time. Adults are rarely attacked, but are liable to act as carriers. SAFEGUARDS TO BE TAKEN. MEDICAL OFFICER’S ADVICE. The occurrence of several cases of infantile paralysis draws attention to the need for parents and guardians to take the best measures possible against their children becoming infected. It is well, therefore, to repeat the advice given some time ago hv Dr Hughes, the Chief Medical Officer for Auckland.

The disease, said Dr Hughes, affects children, the majority of cases occurring between the ages of one and two years ,after which period the incidence progressively diminishes with increasing age, adults being comparatively litlie affected. The causes are exposure to varying heats, fatigue appearing to render the victim more susceptible, aggregation of pcoplo in illventilated places, insanitary conditions and morbid state of the throat, nosound intestines. Since the virus may leave the throat it is imperative to prevent unprotected coughing or sneezing, while, to guard ngains tthe extremes of temperature, children should he protected against the sun, especially on their heads. Kissing of children on the lips by adults should not ho tolerated, emphasises the dootlor. Fresh air, suitable clothing, and gen oral cleanliness are further preventives. At the time of an epidemic contact and mixing with sufferers should be avoided. Gargles with salt and waabr and well diluted Condys or peroxide and similar solutions for washing the nose are goad prophylactics for the further prevention of the disease. Discussing the methods of treatment once a case has occurred in the household, the medical officer states that the patient should bo removed to a hospital or strictly isolated if treated at home. All discharges must be at once burnt, an dull uxtensils boiled, and no food or other from the sick room should be used brother members of the family. The sick room should be screened against Hies, and animals excluded from the house. Books and [ toys used by the patient should be afterwards burnt. Other members of the household should use a gargle daily, while lozenges are a further preventive.