INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 19 December 1936, Page 9

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

VISITS TO CHILDREN PRECAUTIONS AT HOSPITAL / (United Press Asjociation) WELLINGTON, 18th December. •In view of the possibility of a spread of infantile paralysis to the Wellington district, the Hospital Board, at its meeting last night, decided on the recommendation of the Acting Medical Superintendent (Dr. John Cairney) to restrict the visiting hours to the children’s hospital. “The possibility of the occurrence of cases in districts other than Otago has apparently been viewed sufficiently seriously by the Department of Health to cause the Minister to instruct the immediate closing of schools, and I consider that as a precautionary measure we should take immediate steps to restrict the number of visitors in the Children’s Hospital,” stated Dr. Cairney in a. report to the board. “In the meantime I would suggest: “1. That visiting in the Children’s Hospital be restricted absolutely to the parents (or guardians) of patients in these wards; and that such visiting be restricted to Sunday afternoons,! 2 to 3 p.m., and Friday eyenings from 7to 7.30. Exceptions would of course be made in favour ol the parents of children who are dangerously ill. “2. That on Christmas. Eye, the Christmas tree function be held, but that nobody should be present apart from those members of the staff taking part in the function; and that there be no visitors on Christmas Eve.

“3. That on Christmas Day, instead of the usual Friday, evening visiting time, there be a visiting hour for parents (or. guardians) only, from 2.30 to 3.30 p.m.; and that, apart from this, ho visitors be permitted in the Children’s Hospital on Christmas Day. “I would further suggest that, in the event of occurrence of actual cases ol infantile paralysis in this district, I be authorised to introduce such further restrictions on visiting in the Children’s Hospital as may appear desirable in the circumstances.”

In supplementing his report, Dr. Cairney said that the recommendations were formed for the purpose of preventing an outbreak of infantile paralysis in the Children’s Hospital. They were not so much concerned with the adults, as the older one got the less likely was one to contract the disease. It was well known that the congregation of people, especially children,, assisted in the spread of the epidemic', and he felt that Wellington would be extremely it avoided having some cases in the district. It was possible for a child to play round for several days before the symptoms showed at all, he was anxious to avoid any congregation of children in the hospital. The recommendations of the acting medical superintendent were adopted unanimously.