TWO “SIGNPOSTS”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26963, 24 December 1948, Page 6

TWO “SIGNPOSTS”

POLIOMYELITIS CURE VACCINE AND CHEMICALS PROTECTION AGAINST THREE VIRUS STRAINS PA WELLINGTON,-Dec. 23. In the vast field still to be explored before a cure for poliomyelitis was discovered, two “signposts” pointed the way, said a medical officer of the Health Department in Wellington today. Two discoveries, one a vaccine and the other a chemical agent, giving immunity or protection from three types of the estimated 200 species of virus ha!d been made public at a recent international conference on poliomyelitis in New York. At the conference, which was attended by Dr Duncan Cook, who represented the New Zealand Department of Health, many nations concerned in this modern scourge exchanged ideas and pooled existing knowledge of the prevention nu treatment of the disease, said the officer. The most significant matters discussed were the vaccine and the 5 chemical. “Much research at present is aimed at protecting us from the disease,” he said. “The vaccine, angle is by no means hopeless. Vaccine tnat will cause a high degree of immunity to two strains of poliomyelitis virus has been tried out with-success. This is but a little way along the road, for there are many strains of the virus. A vaccine made from multiple strains and protecting against the particular strain causing the epidemic of the moment is what is required. . “ The- other. signpost is research m chemicals. This has been given impetus by the discovery of a poliomyelitis virus strain harmful to rodents such as mice. Research workers have formerly had to use monkeys, and because of this the work has not been easy. Now that mice can be used the process is quickening. “Already a chemical agent has been found ivhich will protect a 0 per cent, of the mice against poliomyelitis. Just as the sulphonamides proved . helpful against. certain germs probably there is a chemical agent which will help mankind against " the poliomyelitis virus. There seems a probability thatsuccess in finding such a chemical js not so far away.” As far as New Zealand was concerned, said the official, it had been found that the lowering of bodily resistance opened the way to the poliomyelitis virus. It appeared that the severity of the attack depended upon the amount of virus which .entered the nervous system. Chilling of the body had been found to be associated with severe onsets of the disease. Children and adults alike should avoid excessive chilling, fatigue and over-exercise. “ Pregnancy puts up - the ri§k of poliomyelitis by three times,” said the official. “ Expectant and nursing mothers should take adequate daily rest; and adolescent boys and girls, in which class cases are prevalent, should have the proper amount of sleep and generally not overdo things.”