INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19404, 13 February 1925, Page 8

INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

LATEST NOTIFICATIONS. SEVENTEEN NEW CASES. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February T2. Tho following notifications _of cases of infantile paralysis were received by tho Health Department for the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. to-day: Wellington City, 0. Waitotara-, 1. Otaki, 1. Wanganui, 1. Palmerston North, 2. Martinborough, 1. Blenheim, 2. Auckland City, 0. Mount Eden, I. Onehunga, 2, Swanson, 1. Christchurch City, 3. Timaru, 1. Upper Waitohe, 1. Otago, 0. POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH. SIX FRESH CASES.

(Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. February 12. During tho 24 hours ended noon to-day six fresh suspected cases were notified in Canterbury, including three from Christchurch. However, the three cases reported yesterday from one family are now declared negative. AUCKLAND NOTIFICATIONS . SIX FRESH CASES. (Per United Press Association.! AUCKLAND, February 12. Six cases of infantile paralysis were notified to-day, three being in tho suburbs and three in tho country. Tho total notifications to date are 145. of which 10 were later diagnosed differently. FIRST CASE AT ASHBURTpN. (P»n United Press Association.) ASHBURTON, February 12. A case of infantile paralysis, a boy aged 10, residing in tho borough, has been admitted to hospital. This is tho first definite case, that from Allenton (admitted last Thursday) being still indefinite. THE MARLBOROUGH OUTBREAK. (Per United Press Association.) BLENHEIM, February 12. Two fresh cases of infantile paralysis wore notified to-dav—one a boy of nine years in tho borough, and tho other from Ronwicktown, (he ago and sex being un-

known at present. MILD CASE AT STOKE. fPEit United Press Association.) NELSON. February 12. A mild ease of infantile paralysis—a child four years of age—was reported from Stoke to-day. WEST COAST SHOW POSTPONED. (Per United Press Association.) GREYMOT7TH. February 12. 7'ho West Const A. and P. show has been postponed for a fortnight on account of the infantile paralysis epidemic. LOCAL POSITION SATISFACTORY. Dr J. H. Crawshaw, District Medical Officer of Health,'stated to a Daily limes reporter yesterday that there was nothing to report locally in connection with tho infantile paralysis.

FIGHTING THE EPIDEMIC. HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S ACTIVITIES. STATEMENT BY SIR MAUI POMARE (From Odr Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. February 12. Tho Minister of Health (Sir Maui Pomaro) when interviewed to-day prior to his departure for tho South Island on a visit ot inspection to Scadifi Mental Hospital had some interesting remarks to make ni regard to tho present epidemic of infantile paralysis. “I am exceedingly gratified,” said Sir Maul, “by the .supjwrt afforded tho Department in tho efforts to combat tho epidemic by press and public alike. It is obvious that without tho loyal

co-operation of tlio individual householder tlio Dopannent would bo seriously handicAppod in its efforts. There aro, however, a few critic* consider the Deparniont is blameworthy and who do not appreciate fully the action that has 'been taken. Those poonlo fail to discriminate between responsibility for the epidemic and responsibility for the measures aimed at combating (he epidemic. The Department of course assumes lull responsibility for the latter, and it is not cut of place to review briefly the measures which nave boon adopted in the present outbreak. In the first place ] tyish to say that infantile paralysis is a disease from which wo as a community are never wholly free in any year, even the most favourable. In this respect a few cases of infantile paralysis aro reported to tno Department every month. Occasionally indeed there may be more or less limited outbreaks occurring in certain parts of the dominion. The outbreak of the original cases in the present epidemic occurred at I’etone during tho month of December. When those cases wore reported to the Department particularly strict precautionary measures wore adopted. In every case the patient was forthwith removed to the public hospital and tho whole household, including the wage-earners, was rigorously guaranteed on its own premises. There was no attempt on the part of the Doparment m mysoll to withhold any information from the public. In fact 1 consider that in my position absolute frankness is essential, and 1/ you will refer to vour back files you will end that at no time has there been any evasion or attempt to misinform the public, iho full state of affairs has been frankly

given. Tho occurrence of the cases was duly reported to tho press and the Department niado a cloar statement as to the procautionary measures which should bo adopted by householders and the public generally in order to limit the spread oi tne infection. When it was evident that the disease was not confined to its original locality 'but was showing evidences of spread throughout Wellington and other parts of New Zealand, prompt measures were taken to limit tho congregation of those particularly susceptible to tho disease, that is children under the ago of 16 years. "In infantile paralysis I may state in passing, tiie brunt of tho-disease falls upoii tne ago period, birth to 5 years, and it is an unusual occurrence for a case to occur in anybody over the ago of 16 years. Th-> measures which were put into forco were briefly tho prohibition of gatherings of

children, and there is no need for me i 0 oeLad those at tho present moment. The Department has used the public press very frcey in making known to the general public tho measures which they may adopt to safeguard themselves and their children against the onset of this disease. The newspapers have been most liberal in this respect, and I am most grateful for the assistance they have afforded the Department m order to ensure that no measures were overlooked which could with advantage bo adopted, ihe Department conferred both in Wellington and Auckland

with lopresentativcs of tho New Zealand tiie Uritish Medical Association, -this body expressed itself as in full accord with the measures which ahd been put into operation by the Department, and had no further precautions to recommend "As to research, it was considered that New Zealand would be failing in its duty if it neglected to take tins opportunity of doing all in its power to investigate the origin and nature of this dread disease. Wo are fortunate in having in Now Zealand laboratory workers who are parti-

cularly competent to investigate this phase of the subject. The Department appointed as a full time officer lor this work Dr Lynch who is at present located at the Wellington Hospital, and it also arranged that Dr Gilmour, the bacteriologist at Auckland Hospital, should bo 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 a re, doing particularly good work and aro 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. Wo can safely say that our hospitals are as well equipped both in staff and appliances as anv institution in any part of the world, and those whoso 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 do not think there is anything more I can say on this matter. I have indicated sufficiently what the Department has dorm and is doing. Generally I think it will bo conceded that in this present epidemic wo have done as much, if not more, than any' country with a similar visitation.”