INFANTILE PARALYSIS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12094, 23 March 1925, Page 7

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

FEWER NOTIFICATIONS DOMINION MORTALITY RATH TO DATE 15.3. WELLINGTON 2 POINTS LOWER. QUESTION OF MANDATES. Sixteen fresh cases of infantile paralysis were notified throughout the Dominion in the 24 hours ending 9 a.m. on Saturday, as against 26 the day before. The cases were distributed as follow: Auckland Health District, 3 —City 1, Whangarei 1, Hopai (Hauraki County) Wellington Health District, 7—Waverley 1, Wanganui 3 (in one house), Feilding 1, Palmerston North 1. Murchison 1. Canterbury, 4—Christchurch City 1, Waimairi 1, Rangiora 1, Tinwald 1. Otago, 2—Dunedin City 1. Dunedin South 1. ■ DOMINION RETURNS HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S IN- » QUIRIES. • Dr T. MoKibbin (Director of Public Hygiene) informed a “Times” ‘ representative that the total number of, cases throughout the Dominion, from November 25th to March 16th, was 829: while the deaths totalled 127; giving a case mortality rate of 15.3. In the Auckland Health District the total number of cases notified was 208, and the number of deaths 48; giving a mortality rate of 23.1. In the Wellington Health District, the cases number 437 and: the deaths 58; giving a mortality rate of 13.3. The lowest mortality rate was 10.6, in the Canterbury district, with 160 cases and 17 deaths; while in the Otago Health District it was 16.7.—24 cases and 4 deaths. “There is nothing really new to say,” added Dr McKibbin. “We will, of course, have to consider shortly the question of the mandates, which now hold good up to April Ist. The Health Department is ascertaining from the various health districts how severe are the oases that are being rsported this month; and this will be a guide to 1 it in dealing with this matter.” DETAILED FIGURES. AUCKLAND HIGHEST DEATHRATE. The following detail figures as to the incidence of the disease are furnished by the Health Department. Positive oases ordv, notified from November 25th -to February 28th, are dealt with. The Canterbury figures are confirmed: only till February 16th, and all cases notified since February 28th have yet to be confirmed: ’ Positive diagnosis to Feb. 28th. Combined Mortality Pa*

The New Zealand mortality rate to February 28th has been 15.76 per cent., and to March 16th 15.32 per cent. PERMITS TO TRAVEL POSITION OF HEALTH DEPART- „ MENT. With regard to the matter of permits for travelling, the Health Department atatea that permits will be issued to children to travel only in the ease of those returning to their homes. So averse to the granting of other permits are the authorities that it is urged that in all casea of* children desiring permits, application fee made by letter well in advance of the required permission, which will be granted only in the most urgent cases. Children under 16 yearn of age, who wish to travel from the North to the South Island, must make application to the Wellington office during office hours, or at the Union Steam Ship Company’s office on the ferry wharf between 7 and 7.45 p.m. for permits. Children under the age wishing to travel from Nelson or Pioton to Wellington must make application to Dr. Keith at Nelson, or Dr. Gregg at Picton, both of whom will he in attendance (for the convenience duly of people travelling late) at the wharf 30 minutes before the Wellington boat leaves. WELLINGTON HOSPITAL CASES REPOST OF SUPERINTENDENT. The medical superintendent of Wellington Hospital (Dr. D. Macdonald Wilson) reported last week that 130 cases had been treated at the hospital. “Of these,” ho added, “19 died.. The present number in the hospital is 47, 64 having been discharged. In all the’ cases that have been admitted, 30 show signs of paralysis or weakness. Some of these have been recent cases. Of these 30, 18 are.affected with mild weakness only, and have every, prospect of complete recovery. The remaining 12 cases are badly paralysed, but not necessarily permanently. That is to say, that 9 per cent, of the total cases are badly paralysed, a large proportion of which were badly paralysed on admission. Prolonged treatment, possibly for twelve months or longer, will be necessary before such cases can bo classed as definitely permanently paralysed. A recovery in the majority of these 12 cases is anticipated, but time will be necessary before a definite statement in regard to them can be made.” IN OTHERPLACES YOUTHS AFFECTED. Per Press Association. I WAIROA. March 21. j The first case of infantile paralysis in the Wairoa district was brought into Wairoa Hospital yesterday, the sufferer being a Maori named Henare Wainohu, aged 22. HOKITIKA. March 21. The infantile paralysis suspect case, that of a young child, reported on Wed-

nesdlay, proved to be negative. Another suspect is under observation. AUCKLAND, March 21. Five new cases of infantile paralysis were reported to-day, one at North Auckland, one in the city, one in Coromandel, and one in Opotiki. One death haa occurred in hospital. DUNEDIN, March 21. A youth, aged: 18, admitcecr to the hospital some days ago, suffering from infantile paralysis, died last night. A boy, aged 24 years, was to have been sent to the hospital yesterday, hut died before admission. A suspected case, a boy, aged 12, was admitted yesterday and! declared! a positive case; and a girl, aged 8, in South Dunedin, was also declared positive. TIMARU. March 21. A girl 5f years of age, admitted ts : the hospital on Thursday as a mild case of infantile paralysis, died' this morn- ' ing. « CHRISTCHURCH, March 22. Only two cases of infantile paralysis < were reported in Canterbury health district to-day. This is a distinct ( drop as compared with yesterday’s no- ’ tiftcations, when eight new cases were reported.

District. Cbses. Per Deaths, centAuckland 176 39 22.2 Wellington ... 365 61 14.0 Canterbury ... 68 y 1U.S5 Otago 12 2 16.7 Dominion 641 101 15.8 The unconfirmed figures to March 16th are es follow: — Combined Mortality Pet District Cases. Deaths, cent. Auckland 208 48 23.1 Wellington ... 437 58 13.3 Canterbury ... 160 17 10.6 Otago 24 4 16.7 Dominion 127 15.3