INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17100, 24 February 1916, Page 7

INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

PRECAUTIONS BY HEALTH department. WARNING TO THE PUBLIC. DOMESTIC PETS A PERIL. Dr Chosson, District Health Officer, was seen yesterday by a “ Lyttelton Times ” reporter and questioned concerning the steps that are being taken by local health authorities in regard to precautionary measures to combat an outbreak of'infantile paralysis in this district. . ■

Dr Chesson said ho had sent circulars of warning, containing precautionary measures to be taken, to all local authorities, and he had impressed upon all health inspectors of the district the necessity of being on the lookout for any trace of an outbicak, and also to take steps to sec that all pi onuses .no kept in a, proper- state of cleanliness, that hackvards of dwellings arc in good order and that no garbage or cither refuse matter is permitted to lie about, also that all sanitary arrangements are satisfactory. The public, said Dr Chesson. must do its part. The best precautionary measure was to bo found in cleanliness. Inspectors cannot do everything. TJje people, must themselves • recognise then responsibilitv in keeping the city and district clear of the dreaded disease. That responsibility, so far as the public, was concerned, consisted in living unclci conditions of scrupulous clenhlmess,. The disease is not; a new one, said the doctor, but it is only ot recent date that it has become an epidemic. Infantile paralysis is not wot thoioughlv understood. Its effect, bo ever, "certainly is. The germ is one ot the most minute organisms, yet U penetrates most insistently into the human body. It affects some people more than others, while many aie immune to its attacks; but that is a common experience in all forms of disease caused by germs. Food should be most carefully piotected from flies; the greatest known carriers of disease. Stable manure and refuse should not be left lying about. These were favourite breeding grounds for flics. ■ , , „ Children, continued the doctor, shduld not be permitted to fondle domestic animals. The dog was a very faithful animal and a good companion, but it licked and ate all manner of germinfected matter. There was extreme danger in permitting children to fondle dogs, and in permitting the canines to lick them. The dog did this, no doubt, to show his gratitude, but the hidden dangers must be considered. Ihe warning might be extended to adults. Lap dogs were no different from dog* that roamed the streets. At the present time, more even than at any otheij should dogs be kept in their place and no fondling of them should be peimitted under any circumstances. The domestic cat was also dangerous, but not to the same degree as the dog. The people would be well advised to beware of all domestic pets. Children should bo lectured and made to realise how necessary it was. to leave the dog and the cat entirely alone. If this can be done successfully one. excellent precautionary measure against contracting disease would have been taken. ... Another point that should bo impressed upon parents was that their children should not be permitted to associate with any person coming from a district in which infantile paralysis had occurred. People must travel about the Dominion, and persons were liable to carry the germs with them without themselves being affected by them.

Dr Chesson said the disease was not spreading to any extent, but it was not possible to say that it would not come this way. There had been a mild outbreak of infantile paralysis in the south about two years ago, and the public must realise that it might occur again. To be forewarned was to be forearmed, hence he strongly advised precautionary measures being taken on the lines he had suggested, namely, observe a state of scrupulous cleanliness, km- ' all back yards clear of garbage and other refuse matter, declare war—merciless war—on the flies, keep all food free from contamination by flies, do not permit the fondling of dogs and cats, and avoid association with persons from the disease-affected area. An attack of infantile paralysis was usually preceded by fever and the symptoms were liable to be fnistaken for influenza. Early symptoms were, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, followed in a few days by paralysis. In the event of a case occurring it should be strictly quarantined for three weeks after all symptoms of fever had subsided.

Concerning contacts, Dr Chesson said that if a person comes into contact with anyone affected it would be well to use antiseptic applications to the throat, two or three times daily, and a nasal douche of weak antiseptic, solution should also be employed. The diseaso is spread either by direct contact with a patient or by a person apparently healthy who may be infected with the genus;, also by dust, for the microbe can live in a dry state. Sweepings from a room occupied by a patient bad been shown to contain germs Biting insects were also carriers of the disease, also houseflies and bugs and fleas. Contamination of food and drink, and contact with domestic animals were other causes.

In the event of a child showing feverish tendencies and unusual symptoms, medical advice should be summoned at once, said Dr Chesson. If the points mentioned were fully realised and precautionary measures taken the dreadful disease might , be prevented from making an appearance, or, if it did, could be kept well in hand.