INFANTILE PARALYSIS

NZ Truth, Issue 998, 10 January 1925, Page 6

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Need To EJe Alert Health Department's Advice. To be alert, but not alarmed, is the ideal state of mind m which a public should be, m order to face an outbreak of disease, > such as the recurrence of infantile paralysis m Wellington. The authorities have therefore sounded, m reserved tones, a note of warning. . The Health Department, m view of the number of cases reported, has seen fit to issue the following instructions: ' Anterior Poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis).— This is an infectious disease which attacks principally babies and young children, although adults are not exempt. It begins with' irritability of temper and drowsiness, accompanied by headache, vomiting, fever, and stomach and bowel troubles. Paralysis affecting one or more groups of muscles, especially of the limbs, .may supervene, and may even prove fatal. Medical advice should at. once be obtained m such cases. "The disease is carried from, person to person, . and the infection is taken through' the nose and mouth. The throat, nose, and bowel discharges of the patient can carry infection, and these should always be disinfected. "So far as is known the infection is not carried by water ; or milk. . , "Prevention. — All ' gatherings of young children must be avoided, and young children must not be allowed to enter any house where there is any case of sickness. Kissing and fondling of children r should -not be allowed. Children should not use drinking cups,' etc., m common. ■

"The sick should be isolated from the healthy, and if strict isolation and appropriate nursing cannot be obtain-, ed at home, the patient should be treated m an isolation hospital.

"The sick room and its contents should be disinfected at the end of the illness.

"Persons who are brought into contact with the patients are advised to disinfect the throat and hose. For this: purpose, an antiseptic solution such as either of the following is recommended for , use twice or three times daily m hand sprays or atomisers:—(a) Permanganate of potash: Half a teaspoonful of common salt to a breakfastcup of tepid water ' made very faintly pink with permanganate of potash or Condy's fluid, (b) Peroxide of hydrogen: One per cent, solution; When hand sprays are not readily available the antiseptic solution should, be poured into the palm of the hand, sniffed up through the nostrils, and expelled through the mouth; afterwards some more of the solution should be used as a mouth wash and gargle. This method is only practicable with older: children and adults. It is desirable m the first instance that this should be done under medical • instruction and,, supervision."

. Auckland is taking note of what is happening m Wellington. The . last epidemic of infantile paralysis m Auckland,' m 1916, killed so many babes and left so terrible a trail of suffering crippledom m its trail that it is little wonder the parents of the big city are alert. At time of writing Auckland has not so many cases as Wellington has; but the Chief Medical Officer for; Health has issued warning that more may be expected, though he adds that he does not want to "unnecessarily alarm" people m the matter. ; ;