EXAMINATION BY SPECIALIST

Southland Times, Issue 23307, 17 September 1937, Page 5

EXAMINATION BY SPECIALIST

Infantile Paralysis Patients SUGGESTION FROM DR WATT A recommendation from the DirectorGeneral of Health (Dr M. H. Watt) that Dr Renfrew White, of Dunedin, be engaged to examine the infantile paralysis patients in the Southland Hospital Board’s district was discussed at the monthly meeting of the board yesterday. The medical superintendent (Dr L. C. McNickle) said in a report that Dr Watt had strongly recommended that the board engage Dr White to examine paralysis cases. “He points out,” the report stated, “that a fee of £5O or £6O would be well spent if it helped one child. He further states that the Oamaru hospital engages Dr White to visit regularly its infantile paralysis cases and that we will incur criticism if we do not do the same.” A letter received from Dr Watt stated that Dr White had emphasized the advisability of ensuring that all cases with paralysis be kept under observation and regular inspection by an orthopaedic surgeon. At the present stage it was suggested that visits should be made every three months. “I agree with Dr White’s recommendations,” the letter stated, “and shall be glad therefore if you will arrange his services at threemonthly intervals with the object of his checking up on treatment given patients in the Gore and Invercargill hospitals and of making recommendations for future treatment.” CASES IN HOSPITAL ' It was stated that there had been a list of 25 cases in the Southland hospital with actual paralysis. All, however, had been discharged from inpatient status except five—of these three were severely paralysed. Five were receiving treatment as out-patients and the rest of the cases had been returned to their homes. The chairman (Mr T. Golden) said that in his opinion the board should get Dr Renfrew White to come down and inspect the cases. Mr John Miller: Are there no orthopaedic men here? It seems rather unfortunate we have to get someone from outside. Dr J. A. Pottinger said it was necessary that the patients suffering from infantile paralysis receive the very best attention. Although he thought they were very well looked after at present, the board could not very well do other than fall in with the department’s suggestion. Mr Miller said he thought that Dr White should come more often than at three-monthly intervals. It would be better if he came every month. . Dr Pottinger said that Dr White would not be in charge of the cases, but would give advice about the general trend of treatment. Mr Miller: It just means that . the work will still be on the shoulders of those who are doing it now. It was decided that Dr White be communicated with and asked the conditions of his visits, how often he would come and what fee he would charge.