THE EPIDEMIC.

Northern Advocate, 9 February 1925, Page 4

THE EPIDEMIC.

GENERAL IMPROVEMENT. POSITION REASSURING. WELLINGTON, This Day. The general position so far as the prevalence of in Pantile paralysis throughout the Dominion is concerned is that a most reassuring improvement has been recorded. —Press Assn. REOPENING OF SCHOOLS. MINISTER TAKES NO RISKS. CHRISTCHURCH This Day. Asked when the schools w'ould reopen, Sir James Parr said the Education Department would be guided largely by the advice of the Public Health Department. "Personally, however, I hold very strongly tlie view that all possible risk must be avoided in the interests of the children," added Sir James. "I shall certainly bo averse fi J om the gathering of 220,000 children in schools until we have a rea sonable assurance that this fell diseaSo is practically iat an end." —Press Assn. NINE MORE CASES. THE PROVINCIAL TALLY. AUCKLAND, This Day. Nine cases of infantile paralysis have been reported since noon on Saturday, five in the city, two in the suburbs, and two in the country. Press Assn. ADDITIONS AT HAWERA. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. HAWERA, This Day. Three fresh cases of infantile paialysis were admitted to the Hawera Hospital, making a total of four children under treatment, three boys and one girl. Two of the cases are only mild. • The Borough Council opened an inhalation chamber this morning—Press Assn. MILITARY CAMPS. POSTPONEMENT FAVOURED. W AIM ATE, This Day.

"To say the least of it, it is remarkable," said the Mayor of Waimate (Mr W. E. Evans), referring to the proposal of the Defence Department to hold a Territorial camp at Burnham at the week-end. "I do not know why the Defence Department is persisting in the arrangements in view of the Health Department's wishes to avoid the congregating of young people." The sentiments expressed by the Mayor were enthusiastically endorsed by a number of prominent Waimate business men who are strongly of the opinion that the proposed camp should be postponed.—Press Assn. AT WHANGAREI HOSPITAL. TWO ADMISSIONS TODAY. CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT. Until today the Whangarei district had an enviable record in connection with the epidemic of infantile paralysis that has been taking such heavy toll elsewhere in the North Island. Today, 'however, the number of cases in the Whangarei district was increased by 100 per cent., two patients being admitted to the Whangarei Hospital. One of these is a boy of seven years, who was brought in from Otaika Valley. The paralysis has especially affected his right arm. The second case is that of a little girl of one year and nine months, whose parents live at Onerahi. The young man from the country who was the first patient at the Whangarei Hospital is still there, and is making progress towards recovery. The second case was that of an infant, who died a fortnight ago yesterday.

The two cases reported today are the first in the district since t'he fatal one. A PREVENTIVE MEASURE. DISINFECTION OF VEHICLES. AFTER CARRYING PATIENTS. When Dr. Hall, Superintendent, of the Whangarei Hospital, notified members of the Board this morning that two more cases of infantile paralysis had been admitted to the institution, Mr. D. A. McLean referred to the use of taxi-cars in carrying the patients to the hospital, and asked whether steps were taken to have them disinfected before they carried other fares. He had been told by a lady who got into a taxi with her children that the driver had informed her that just previously he had taken a case to the hospital which he believed was paralysis. The Superintendent stated that :iccording to the Health Department's regulations the vehicles should bo disinfected. It was within the scope of duties of the health inspectors to see that that was done. The driver had evidently made a guess in the instance cited and it could not be known what the case was until after examination in the hospital. One of the three eases, that of an infant, had been brought to hospital in a taxi, but as it had been with its mother the risk of infection would be small. Infantile paralysis was spread by direct contact only. Infection due to direct contact with spray the patient's mouth. Mr. J. A. S. 'MV'TCay thought the need for having • vehicles used in carrying jnfe'-t.' > ■■ - disinfected

II should be brouglit under notice of thd, inspectors affected. There -were bound to be such cases which would not bo known to be infectious until after tho cars had left the hospital, but steps should be taken to have cars disinfected when infectious cases were diagnosed. Mr.. D. A. McLean thought there was necessity for drawing public attention to the precautions mentioned. It was decided, on the motion of Mr. "W. Jones, that it be notified that vehicles taking any infectious cases to hospital should be disinfected before being used again, and that attention be drawn to the heavy penalty provided for non-compliance.