INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 17 November 1937, Page 7

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

TREATMENT IN VICTORIA DEFENDED BY MEDICAL PROFESSION I Itiiiterj Press Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copy risrli 1 1 MELBOURNE. 15th November. Defending tiie treatment by medical practitioners of infantile paralysis, the Victorian Board of tiie British Medical Association to-night wrote to the Premier (Mr Dunstan) criticising Hie proposed support of Sister Kenny’s treatment. The letter stated: “From the unbridled publicity given to what is known as Sister Kenny’s treatment, the natural reticence of medical practitioners to advertise their methods, and the inability of parents to publish their gratitude for successful treatment of their children, it may have appeared that the treatment in Victoria lags behind that of oilier States and otnci countries.” It is explained that tiie 1937 epidemic was less severe in its paralytic effects than that of 1931. Of 350 cases discharged from hospital 33 have already completely recovered, and within three months 100 more will be normal children. "The only reports on Sister Kenny’s treatment arc unfavourable,” the letter slates. "In any method we adopt we must be assured that it is in the best interests of the patients.” The Premier, Mr A. A. Dunstan, replying to tiie B.M.A. letter, said representations made to the Government were in favour of giving the treatment a trial. In the interests of the sufferers no efforts should be spared. Six nurses were being sent to Sydney for training in Ihc Kenny treatment. On their return clinics might be established at Melbourne. New cases of infantile paralysis yesterday and to-day brought the total to 820. The warmer weather is believed to be (tie cause of the renewal of a large daily number of cases.