DEPARTMENT'S EFFORTS

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

DEPARTMENT'S EFFORTS

REVIEW BY MINISTER. PROTECTIVE MEASURES. TWO RESEARCH WORKERS. [r.X TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. The measures taken by the Department of Health in combating the_ epidemic of infantile paralysis were reviewed to-day by the Minister for Health, Sir Maui Pomare, prior to his departure for the South Island on a visit of inspection to j Seacliff Mental Hospital. "I am exceed- j inglr gratified," said Sir Maui, "by the support afforded the department in _ its efforts by the press and tho public alike. It is obvious that without the loyal cooperation of the individual householder the department would be seriously handicapped in its efforts." The Minister said the community is never wholly free of infantile paralysis. In any year, even the most favourable in this respect, a few cases are reported to the department every month; occasionally, indeed, there may bo more or lesi limited outbreaks occurring in certain parts of the Dominion. The original cases in the present epidemic, occurred at Petone during December. When these cases were reported to the department, strict precautionary measures 1 were adopted. In every case, the patient was forthwith removed to the public hospital, and the whole household, including wageearners, was rigorously quarantined on its own premises! When it was evident that the disease was showing evidences of spreading throughout Wellington and other parts of New Zealand prompt measures were taken to limit the congregation of those particularly susceptible to the disease, that is, children under tho age of 16 years. The brunt of the disease falls upon the age period 0 to 5 years, and it is unusual for a case to occur in anybody over the ago of 16 years. " The department has used the public press very freely in making known to the general public tho measures which they may adopt to safeguard themselves and their children against disease," said the Minister. " The newspapers have been most liberal in this respect, and I am most grateful for the assistance they have afforded tho department. " To ensure that no measures were overlooked which could with advantage bo adopted, the department conferred, both in Wellington and Auckland, with representatives of tho Now Zealand branch of the British Medical Association. This body expressed itself as in full accord with the measures which had been put into operation by tho department, and had no further precautions to recommend. " Now as to research: It was considered that New Zealand would be failing in its duty if it neglected to take this opportunity of doing all in its power to investigate the origin and the nature of this dread disease. Wo are fortunate in having in New Zealand laboratory workers who are particularly competent to investigate this phase of the subject. _ The department appointed as a full time officer for this work, Dr. Lynch, who is at present located at the Wellington Hospital, and it also arranged that Dr. Gilmour, tho bacteriologist at Auckland Hospital, should be relieved from routine duties, and left free to devote himself to this work. Although it is early to make any pronouncement, it can be said that these two officers are doing particularly work, and are laying the foundation, it is hoped, for a considerable extension of our knowledge as to this disease. " As regards treatment, New Zealand is particularly fortunate. We can safely say that our hospitals aro as well equipped, both in staff and appliances, as any institution in any other part of the world, and those whose children have been so unfortunate as to become victims of this disease can bo assured that the little patients are receiving all that is possible in the way of medical care and attention. " I have indicated sufficiently what the department has done and is doing," .the Minister added. " Generally, I think it will be conceded that in this present- epideriiic, we have done as much as, if not more than any country with a similar visitation." POSITION IN N.S. WALES. NO EPIDEMIC REPORTED. NINE CASES SINCE NEW YEAR. Dr. Mac Donald GUI, senior physician to the Royal Alexandra' Hospital for Children, in Sydney, referring to tho epidemic of infantile paralysis in New Zealand, states that there is no epidemic in Sydney at- the present time, that there are no cases at present speak of, and that there is no cause for uneasiness or anxiety. The Director-General of Health (Dr. Dick) concurs in the statement. This year, taking the whole of New South Wales, only nine cases have been reported, compared with 18 cases for the 'corresponding period of last year. It may be added that it is a notifiable disease. New South Wales, however, has not escaped epidemics of infantile paralysis. The biggest epidemic occurred in 1916, when 311 cases came under notice. Comparing that period, however, with other years, it was an extraordinarily large number of cases. In 1923, for example, there wore only 104 cases in the State, including eight deaths, and the fact must not be overlooked that between 1916, when the biggest outbreak occurred, and 1923 the population of the State increased by about half a million. Last year 102 cases were reported, including seven deaths, and of that number about 45 occurred in the metropolitan area. While, however, the authorities point out that there is no occasion for alarm, there is not, by any means, any desire on their part to depreciate the seriousness of the disease, or to represent it as something of little moment, says a Sydney paper. On the contrary, the seriousness of infantile paralysis as an infectious and communicable disease is emphasised. Dr. J. Mac Donald Gill, in a published clinical study last year of infantile paralysis, reviews the occurrence of epidemics, and points out the great number of crippled children that they have left behind them. He states:—"The ago incidence is striking, and should bo carefully noted. Of forty cases in last year's (1923) epidemic, eighteen were between one and two, and twelve between two and three; that is, thirty out of forty cases were between two and three years of age. There was only one under twelve months, viz., seven months; the oldest was eight years. Although this year's (1924) cases have not been collected yet, the age incidence is very similar. With us in Sydney casss in adults, are very rare. Even in adolescent boys and girls it is seldom seen. There is no doubt whatever that the chief incidence of the disease is on children about two years cf age—either a little less or a little'more."