CHILD PARALYSIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22608, 22 December 1936, Page 11

CHILD PARALYSIS

SECOND FATAL CASE BOY VICTIM SUCCUMBS OUTBREAK IN DUNEDIN OTHER PATIENTS ADMITTED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Monday The infantile paralysis outbreak claimed its second victim to-day, when the death occurred of a boy aged 15 V years. Pie bad previously been admitted to the Dunedin Hospital suffering from severe respiratory paralysis. The number of cases notified between nine o'clock thin morning and five o'clock this afternoon was smaller than for some time. Only two patients were admitted to hospital. Both cases, a boy of four years and a boy of 14, were, however, positive ones, the elder child showing some paralysis and the younger no signs.

The medical officer of health, Dr. T. McKibbin, stated that a girl of four years, who had been admitted on December 15 as a positive case, was now showing signs of paralysis. As a rule, however, few positive cases without paralysis developed later in this way. NO LOCAL CASES INFECTION THROUGH BATHS COMMENT BY DOCTOR Although no cases of infantile paralysis have been reported in Auckland the Auckland Hospital authorities, under the medical superintendent, Dr. J. W. Craven, have their organisation complete should any cases occur. A ward isolated from the main building has been reserved for use if necessary and a special committee of medical men has been set up to act in any emergency. A strict watch for any cases is fcfing kept by the admitting officers. The possibility of infection being spread in swimming batlyj is raised by a correspondent, "Anxious Mother," who asks if it is safe for children to bathe either in swimming baths or in the open sea. "There would certainly appear to be a risk of infection in a swimming bath," said Dr. Craven, when commenting on the letter., "In the open sea, however, the dilution would be so great that there would be little danger, unless the sufferer was check by jowl with some other child." Altogether 38 people who have previously suffered from the disease have volunteered to give blood in cases of emergency.

WAIKATO AREA FREE POSTPONEMENT OF CAMP [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday Although no cases of infantile paralysis have been reported in the Waikato, several children's parties and gatherings have been postponed 01 abandoned. , The WaikatoChildren sCamp League s camp at Port Waikato, which was to have been opened to 200 children mi January 6, will he postponed. The chairman, Mr. W. H. Paul, said to-day that lie believed the postponement would be for only a few days.

GOVERNMENT ALERT WATCHING THE SITUATION [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION"] AVELLINGTON, Monday "The Government is acting on medical opinion, and is closely watching the situation," said the Prime Minister, the TU. Hon. M. J. Savage, to-dav, when questioned as to the Government's view of the. infantile paralvsis position. Mr. Savage added that whatever action was recommended by the medical authorities would be put into effect. WARNING TO PARENTS MEDICAL AD VIC K ESSF-NTIAL [DY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON, Monday A warning to parents not to use any of the suggested remedies for infantile paralysis without taking medical advice was issued by I)r. M. H. AVatt, Direc-tor-General of Health, to-day. He advised parents to isolate themselves* as much as possible in their own homes. It had to be remembered that adults as well as children could carry and spread the disease. Dr. Watt said. The suggestion that children should be prevented from leaving Dmicdin would be ineffective if adults were allowed to travel. Dr. Watt said that all the information at the disposal of the department was being incorporated in a bulletin for circulation. The doctors of the department bad a. quantity of convalescent scrum available fir distribution, but opinion was divided regarding its efliieaey. CONFERENCE ABANDONED PRESBYTISM A N BIBLE-CLASSES [BY TELEGRAPH' PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WANGANUI, Monday On the advice of the Health Department, to assist in measures to prevent the spread of infantile paralysis the committee responsible * for holding the Dominion conference of Presbyterian BibleClasses, which was to have opened at Wanganui on Boxing Day, has decided to abandon the conference. The cancellation of the fixture will disappoint nearly 600 people who had registered as delegates.