INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18942, 13 February 1925, Page 10

INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

SIX NEW AUCKLAND CASES. CHILDREN FOR AUSTRALIA. TRAVEL NOT ADVISABLE. COUNTRY SHOWS POSTPONED. Six cases of infantile paralysis were notified to the Health Department yesterday, three being from the suburbs and three from-the country. No deaths were reported. The total number of notifications received this year is 145, but subsequent investigation showed that the diagnosis could not bo upheld in 10 cases. Only four of thoso patients wero children, one of the cases in the suburbs being a young woman-of 26 and one a boy of 15. Advice has been received by the Union Steam Ship Company from ■ tho Health Department that it is not advisable for children under 16 years of age to travel from New Zealand to Australia during ihe prevalence of infantile paralysis in tho Dominion, as they would run the risk of being quarantined on arrival in Australia. Childron are not at present allowed to travel on tho ferry steamers plying between tho North and South Islands. Tho restrictions, as applied to children attending races, and *he employment of jockeys under the age of 16, were the subject of comment by the medical officer ol health, Dr. T. J. Hughes, last evening. "Racing clubs,'* he stated, "are reminded of their responsibilities and duties tn regard to prohibiting the attendance ot children under 16 at their racecourses. Jockeys and others under 16 are included in tho order of January 16, already advertised throughout the province, and the department intends strictly to enforco the order." , , 4 number of agricultural shows in various parts of tho Auckland province sot down for February have been either postponed or cancelled owing to the restrictions placed by tho Health Department on the attendance of children. Among these are the Franklin Show, to have been held on February 27 and 28, and the North Kaipara Associations Show at Paparoa, on February 26, both of vhich have been postponed Ihe lr ™ kl ? Show will be held at Pukokohe on Match 27 and 28, and the Paparoa .Shmv on March 26. POSITION IN THE SOUTH. THE CANTERBURY DISTRICT. SIX SUSPECTED CASES. Press Association messages from the South give the following particulars regarding the infantile paralysis epidemic: Christchurch: During the 24 hours ended at noon yesterday, six fresh cases of suspected infantile paralysis were notified m Canterbury, including three from t&ristchureh. 'However three cases reported yesterday from one family are now declared to be negative. , Blenheim: Two fresh cases of infantile paralysis wero notified to-day, one a boy nine years of age, in tho borough, and the other at Renwicktown. Nelson: A mild case of infantile paralysis, a child of four years, was reported .from Stoke to-day. Hawera: A child, aged two years, from Kaponga, was admitted to the Hawera Hospital suffering from infantile paralysis, making five under treatment although only two are from Hawera itself. Ashburton: A case of infantile paralysis of a boy aged 10, residing in the borough, was admitted to the hospital yesterday. This is., the first definite case, that from Allenton, admitted last Thursday, being still indefinite. ACCOMMODATION TAXED. POSITION AT PALMERSTON. PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] PALMERSTON NORTH. Thuraday, At a meeting of tho Hospital Board the medical superintendent reported that, since January 10, a total of 34 cases of infantile paralysis had been admitted. Three patients had died. Twelve of the cases came from Levin and nine from Palmerston North. Eight cases were admitted during the 24 hours ended Tuesday. The available accommodation was nearly exhausted. A large number of cases" now being admitted were mild, in which no paralysis had occurred. If these were now sent into the hospital the Health Department would have to shorten the period of isolation of suitable eases or else temporary observation or convalescent wards would have to be established iil the various centres and onlyserious cases admitted to the hospital. The. matter was one of urgency, as there was now no accommodation for scarlet fever and diphtheria cases. The chairman ?nd medical superintend, ent were authorised to take whatever steps they thought necessary. ANOTHER HAMILTON CASK. NOTIFICATION IN BOROUGH. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Thursday. A further case of infantile paralysis was notified to-day from Wellington Street, Hamilton East, the victim being a child of four months.