INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Southland Times, Issue 17656, 14 February 1916, Page 6

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

OUTBREAK AT GISBORXE. THREE CASES REPORTED. (Per United Press Association.) GISBORXE. February 11. Infantile paralysis has made Us appearance in Gisborne. A girl of six years died from this cause at the hospital yesterday, and there are at present two other cases in the institution —one patient aged 17 and the other an infant. There are also four scarlet fever cases In the hospital. 147 CASES AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAXD, February 12. Six cases of infantile paralysis were notified to-day. The total for the city and country is now 147. making an increase for the week of 50. THE AUCKLAXD OUTBREAK. Ten additional eases of infantile partilysis were notified at Auckland on Thursday. Commenting on the present severe Outbreak of infantile paralysis in Auckland city and province, tbe Herald says that the peculiar features observed in epidemics of the disease in oilier countries have been displayed on this occasion. Though a notable advance has been made in recent years in the study Of the bacteriology of the disease, the search for the means of its dissemination has been baffled by the sporadic manner In which the cases occur. Xo part of the city and its suburbs has escaped, though the incidence of the’ disease does not appear to bear any relation to the general condition of sanitation in any locality. Past experience indicates that the disease is not attributable to insanitary con,., lions, in the generally accepted sense of the term, and comparatively few cases have been reported from those congested portions of the city which would bp regarded as susceptible to most epidemics. A few cases have occurred In tho northern suburbs across the harbour. The incomprehensible distribution of tho disease is equally stiking in the country districts. A few cases have been reported from Helensville, but no others have occurred north of the city area. iUrom Otahuhu along the main railway N ine as far distant as Alorrinsville and Kihikihi the disease has appeared in a number of townships, but never more than a few cases in each locality.