27 Cases in Dunedin

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 298, 17 December 1936, Page 19

27 Cases in Dunedin

Five lore Admissions Yesterday INFANTILE PARALYSIS EPIDEMIC Per Pres 3 Association. DUNEDIN, Last Night. Three positive cases of infantile paralysis and two patients for diagnosis and observation were admitted to the Dunedin Hospital to-day. These cases increase the total number of patients suffering from tho disease to 27, all of whom with tho exception of one child from Alexandra, have come from Dunedin and suburbs. A complete examination was mado this morning of the cases in hospital by Dr. McKibbin, district health officer, and it was found that 15 children were more or less paralysed and four were heavily paralysed. Tne remainder were suffering from paralysis either in the feet, face or limbs. One of the patients, a young boy, who had been in hospital for three days, took a bad turn this afternoon and his namo was placed on the seriously ill list. n 'his patient, Dr. McKibbin said, was severely affected in several parts of his body.

No Cases in Auckland AUCKLAND, Last Night. There are no infantile paralysis cases or suspects in Auckland. The various children’s camps, including health camps, have been postponed and most of the Sunday schools will be closed. Wellington Suspect Not Infected WELLINGTON, Last Night. It is now definitely ascertained that the girl admitted to tho hospital from Tawa Elat is not infected with infantile paralysis, the illness being due to, a rheumatic condition.

Still No Cases in Manawatu Further inquiries made by tho “Times” yesterday from the scnioT inspector of health (Mr. S. B. Eeed) showed that no eases of infantile paralysis or suspects had been reported to the Health Department in. Palmerston North. Warning to Sea Bathers Voicing a warning against too much sea-bathing, Dr. Taylor, acting medical superintendent of the Now Plymouth hospital, pointed out that it predisposed the bather to catarrhal conditions of the nose and throat. If these arose they should bo treated. Ho urged that children should bo discouraged from diving or placing their heads under water.

A review of old cases of infantile paralysis was desirable with the object of obtaining serum for treatment, said Dr. Taylor. It was possible to make serum from piatients who had the complaint years ago. In many cases serum was obtained from parents in contact with affected children, though they themselves had not had the disease.

Gtaki Health Camp Temporarily Closed

ADVICE RECEIVED IN CITY Advice has been received by Mr. G. G. Priest, honorary secretary of the Palmerston North Health Camp Committee, that the activities of the Otaki health camp havo been suspended indefinitely as a precautionary measure in view of the infantile paralysis exndemic which has -broken out in Otago.

The Palmerston North committee had made arrangements for 11 children from the Manawatu district to proceed to the Otaki camp in the near future, but as a result of the action of the Health Department the parents of the children have had to be advised of the unexpected change of plans.