MEDICAL VIEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26689, 7 February 1948, Page 6

MEDICAL VIEWS

INFANTILE PARALYSIS PROBLEMS DISCUSSED The concluding session of the British Medical Association conference in Dunedin yesterday was devoted to a general discussion of the problems of poliomyelitis, with particular reference to the present position in New Zealand. The world-wide distribution of the disease was emphasised, as was also its tendency to move into older age groups of the population. In dealing with the preventive side, it was mentioned that leading British authorities were convinced that it was not possible to control the ultimate spread of the disease by restrictions. There was an increasing tendency to accept poliomyelitis as a risk of childhood and young adult life comparable with diphtheria, whooping cough and measles. Statistics supported this view. Doubts were expressed as to the wisdom of the daily publication of the incidence and location of fresh cases. Those who were in contact with recent poliomyelitis cases were certain that undue publicity bred apprehension, which was reflected in the „ anxious state of the patient on admission to hospital. Auckland doctors emphasised the high recovery rate now obtaining, and mentioned that the danger of death and crippling by road accident was much higher than the risk of poliomyelitis. Overseas authorities were convinced of the value of early restrictions in limiting the spread of the disease, but believed that they were of doubtful use in the later stages. Reference was made to the authoritative statements of the British Ministry of Health, which advised that the normal grouping of the child population should be retained while poliomyelitis was prevalent. At the conclusion of the meeting, the conference urged the formation of a strong advisory committee of the British Medical Association in conjunction with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, to offer assistance to the Department of Health in the control of epidemics.