INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

Northern Advocate, 12 November 1917, Page 1

INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

IN NORTHERN DISTRICTS.

CESSATION OF OUTBREAK

AUCKLAND, November 12

From the northern districts of the province, chiefly the Otamatea County, numbers of cases of infantile paralysis have been notified, though Dr. J. T. Hughes, the district health officer, has stated that since October 27 no more cases have been repotred. Dr. Hughes has visited the northern districts where the complaint was in evidence, and it now appears as if the precautions taken to prevent the spread of the disease have been effectual.

Dr. Hughes says the cases reported have shown unusual symptoms, for in many cases the attack has not at first actually shown paralysis, but rather disorders of the stomach and intestines, together with pains of the head, neck and back. It is stated that the health of the districts has been good, the list of infectious diseases having been very small during the past few months.

To assist the districts where infantile paralysis is likely to become an active danger the authorities have drawn up a Hat of precautions to be taken to combat the disease, and pre ; vent its spread. There should be neither overcrowding nor overheating of children, and the schoolrooms should be well ventilated, while writing materials or drinking vessels should not be common property. The Health Department advocates the frequent washing of the mouths of the children with weak disinfectant, and suggests that boys and girls should not go hatless during the hot summer months. Where there has been a case of the paralysis the other children should be segregated by themselves for a month. All the other precautions used to combat diptheria should be ap-

plied,