INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20607, 22 December 1936, Page 5

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

To the Editor „r " The Tlmaru Herald.” Sir—Kindly grant me space in your paper to discuss the above danger. I should think that the recent reports from Dunedin with regard to the outbreak of infantile paralysis must have reached the utmost ends of the Dominion. No mother should treat this matter lightly, as there is no sadder sight in our midst than to see a little child with legs painfully thin encased in iron strappings. Last Tuesday was a very hot day, and when I was walking down Stafford Street, almost every other child was without a hat. Do the mothers of to-day not stop to think of the danger they are imposing on their little ones by letting the hot rays of the sun beat on their little child’s head and neck? Surely we as mothers understand how our fellow sisters in Dunedin must regard this serious situation which has sprung up once again. What anxious days must be spent by those mothers whose little ones are laid aside, perhaps to be paralysed for many years to come.

I was surprised as also were many more besides myself to see mothers and young children flocking into overcrowded shops, when the children were distinctly warned by their teachers not to go to pictures or anywhere where there are large numbers of children. Then again that is the reason why the children received their holidays earlier than usual. These mothers will say, “Well the little ones' want to see the shops.” I say they will have a visit from Father Christmas just the same as usual. I have a little girl and I have no intention of taking her to town.

I wonder how many have seen Dr. McKenzie’s appeal to persons who have suffered from this disease to assist in the provision of serum in case of the outbreak here. Let us rise to the occasion as true mothers by thus trying to assist our wonderful band of doctors by doing what is asked of us—to keep our children in the open air, not in crowded places, or allow them out without hats.

I am sure we all fully realise what it would mean to Dr. McKenzie and his staff should an outbreak occur here. I trust that our inspector of health here will, as this week is Christmas week and a busy one, for the sake of innocent children, exercise his power by requesting parents to refrain from taking their children into crowds. Certainly It means a little disappointment for this Christmas, but it may mean a lot In the years to come. I hope that a more able pen than mine may take up the matter.—l am, etc., (Mrs) A. S. E. ROBINSON. Timaru, December 21.