A MYSTERIOUS DISEASE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 50, 27 February 1918, Page 7

A MYSTERIOUS DISEASE.

DEATHS AT BROKEN HILL.

(Press Association. —Copyright.)

SYDNEY, Feb. 26.

[ There have been a number of deaths in the past few weeks in the broken Hill district from a mysterious disease resembling infantile paralysis, and I known as "X." The doctors are puzzled . The disease is becoming more violent, and is spreading to other districts. The letter "X" is the only name that so far, has been given to a new disease which has occurred in the north-west of New South Wales, and which the Board of Health is investigating. It has been called "X" un&il experiment and research have sufficiently established its nature to enable it to be more appropriately indicated. An officer in the Health Department indicated that while the disease was new in the sense that so far as medical records go it has not been discovered in other countries, yet it was known to exist there some months ago. He added that there was not the slightest cause for alarm. The number of cases was small—about fialf the number of those of meningitis—and tne authorities were taking every precaution against the spread of the sickness, as well as experimenting thoroughly to discover the best means of treating patients. . The disease, in its symptoms and results, closely resembles cerebro-spinal meningitis, although it differs pathologically. Neither is it as serious in.its after-effects as infantile paralysis. It seems in a general way to be allied with meningitis. The latter disease is present, in many localities, and, in the State, 19 new cases have been reported since the beginning of the year. Although . this is. less than in the corresponding period of last year, the Health Department is taking no chances, but is engaged in a vigorous campaign to stamp out the disease before the colder weather comes. . ~ One difficulty arises with "X," however. Since "X" is a mystery, and a subject for argument among 5 doctors, it has not been listed as an infectious and notifiable disease, with the result that the doctors have no control over contacts, and cannot take the_ usual precautions with regard to them. This little matter, however, is to be remedied, at pnce, and "X' will appear on the notifiable list.—Post correspondent.

The first of Thomas A. Edison's "invisible ships" to go to Baltimore dropped anchor off quarantine (says an American paper). ' It is a new ship of British register, and has .just been completed after the original plans by Mr Edison. As she appears in the harbour the freighter looks.. like any of the other boats at anchor. The towering masts, with their massive derrick booms, form the chief feature of the invisible plan ,for they are hinged at the deck. When the vessel is entering the waters infested by TJboats these masts are lowered to the deck in such a manner that they extend along each side near the rail. The smoke stack is removed, and any breaks left in the top lines are boarded so that the line is straight. In her neutral colours the ship can scarcely be detected on the horizon. The decks are low, and in the danger zone hard coal is burned so that there is no telltale trail of smoke.