CASE IN TIMARU

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20607, 22 December 1936, Page 7

CASE IN TIMARU

INFANTILE PARALYSIS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES A case showing the symptoms of Infantile paralysis, that of a young woman, aged 18, has been admitted to the Timaru Hospital. It was stated by the Medical Superintendfent of the Hospital (Dr. J. Campbell McKenzie) last night that the patient was a resident of Timaru, but so far paralysis had not developed. Dr. McKenzie emphasised -he necessity for parents stopping children from moving about from one town to another and preventing them from congregating in picture theatres and other buildings. The case has been reported to the Medical Officer for Health for Canterbury (Dr. T. Fletcher Telford). Preventive Measures A special meeting of the Timaru Borough Council was held last night for the purpose of considering whether or not open air gatherings during the Christmas holidays, such as the Bay carnival and Caledonian Society's sports should be abandoned in view of the epidemic. The Medical Officer of Health, Christchtirch, had been communicated with earlier in the day in the matter, and also as to what steps the Council’s inspector should take in regard to children congregating in buildings, it being felt that children were better in the open air, provided they did not gather in crowds. Dr. Telford telegraphed that if the Council could guarantee to exclude children under 16, he would agree to the Bay carnival and all open air sports meetings. He continued: “Please instruct your sanitary inspector that children under 13 are to be excluded from picture shows, libraries, Woolworths, McKenzie's and other stores; also Father Christmas and Christmas tree functions in shops." The Council last night passed the following resolution: “That the instruction contained in the Health Department’s telegram be put into effect; that in the absence of further instructions from the Health Department that the Bay carnival, sports and tennis championships be allowed to continue for people over 16, and that extra inspectors be appointed to see that the Department’s instructions are followed. That the Town Clerk, with the sanitary Inspector appoint extra Inspectors as may be necessary in the circumstances." It was also resolved that swimming baths be closed to children under 16 including the bathing facilities at Caroline Bay. It was pointed out that the Council had no power to prohibit gatherings or prevent people from travelling, such power being entirely in the hands of the Health Department. SECOND VICTIM BOY OF FIFTEEN SUCCUMBS By TelwaDh—Press Association DUNEDIN, December 21. The Infantile paralysis epidemic claimed its second victim to-day, when the death occurred of a fifteen and a half year old boy, who had previously been admitted to the Dunedin Hospital suffering from severe respiratory paralysis. The number of cases notified between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to-day was smaller than for some time, only two patients being admitted to hospital. Both these cases, a boy of four and a boy of 14, were, however, positive ones, the elder child showing some paralysis and the younger no signs of paralysis at all. The Medical Officer of Health, Dr. T. McKlbbin, stated that a girl of four, who had been admitted on December 15 as a positive case was now showing signs of paralysis, but as a rule few positive cases with paralysis developed paralysis at a later date. HEALTH OFFICER’S THREAT PREVENTION OF TRAVEL Bv Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, December 21 A threat that he would use the plenary powers with which he was armed by the Minister of Health to prevent children from travelling to infected areas was made to-day by the medical officer for the Canterbury and Westland district, Dr. T. Fletcher Telford. He said he had been much surprised to hear of the intention of

some parents to take their children into the infected area of Otago. It was his intention to oppose such movements to the utmost, and he had the necessary plenary powers from the Minister to enforce the prohibition. However, he was prepared to take those steps if parents would not see reason. No definite steps were being taken to isolate Dunedin, but in such cases as he had mentioned some action was necessary. The Director-General of Health could give authority for the railways to refuse to carry children to or from Dunedin, and if that were done, inspectors would also be required to watch the main highways. There would be no interference with the return to Dunedin of those whose homes were there.

The guard of the northbound express said to-night that he knew of no restrictions on children leaving Dunedin, but the number of children on the train was rather less than usual at thl stime of the year. IF NECESSARY FULL POWERS OF HEALTH ACT WILL BE ENFORCED By Telegraph—Pres? Association GREYMOUTH, December 21. The Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Health, will proceed to Hokitika tomorrow. He stated to-night that everything possible by the Health Department to limit the scope of the infantile paralysis epidemic had been done. If necessary, the full powers of the Health Act would be enforced, but there had been a great amount of cooperation by those Interested, such as picture theatre proprietors and others, and It had not been necessary to invoke the compulsory clauses. He hoped that the scope of the disease would be confined to the area already affected, but this required the co-operation of all citizens, particularly parents and others entrusted with the care of children. There was some slight difference of opinion regarding the closing of schools, postponing health cajnps and preventing children from congregating, but the disease was so disastrous to victims in Its violent form that no possible means of limiting the epidemic could be ignored. ADVICE TO PARENTS SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT By Tele«raDh—Press Association WELLINGTON, December 21. A warning to parents not to use any suggested remedies for infantile paralysis without taking medical advice, was issued by Dr. Watt, DirectorGeneral of Health, to-day. He advised parents to isolate themselves as much as possible in their own homes. It had to be remembered that adults as well as children could carry and outspread the disease. The suggestion that children should be prevented from leaving Dunedin would be ineffective if adults were allowed to travel.

Dr. Watt said all information at the disposal of the Department was being incorporated in a bulletin for circulation to doctors. The Department had a quantity of convalescent serum available for distribution, but opinion was divided regarding its efficacy. “The disease may occur suddenly without any previous symptoms whatever," states Dr. T. J. Hughes, Medical Officer of Health in Auckland, “but

in the majority of cases the initial symptoms are malaise, feverishness, headaches, pain in the back, neck or limbs, and gastro-intestinal disorders, such as constipation, diarrhoea, or pains in the stomach or bowels. These symptoms are associated with more or less wasting and occasionally with twitching of the knuckles. Vomiting and drowsiness also commonly occur, especially among young children. Exposure to Heat "The feverish period and initial symptoms may subside leaving no paralysis, but there may be marked weakness,” said Dr. Hughes. “Pain, apart from headache, is a common symptom and it may occur in the knuckles or all over the whole surface, the patient crying out on being touched or moved. Stiffness of the neck varies in degree from a slight limitation in movement to extreme retraction of the head.

“Exposure to heat appears to be one of the prime causal factors and the disease appears to become epidemic in temperate climates, where an excessively hot summer is experienced at irregular intervals, while other factors appear to be fatigue, whether mental or physical, chills, and abnormal conditions of the throat and intestinal passages.

“Children should not be exposed to extremes of temperature and should avoid indoor public gatherings in hot weather. They should have plenty of fresh air and be suitably clothed to prevent overheating and subsequent chilling. They should not play bareheaded in the sun nor in dusty thoroughfares and the head and the back of the neck should be well protected. Since the germs of disease may leave the throat during coughing or sneezing always cough or sneeze into a handkerchief, especially in a room or public vehicle. Kissing children on the lips should not be tolerated, and mixing with people who have any illdefined feverish illness should be avoided. Early Treatment “Gargling and washing of the nose with a mild antiseptic may be carried out,” said Dr. Hughes, “using a crystal of condys to a cup of water, giving it a pink colour, or a teaspoonful of salt to a pint of warm water. The use of common drinking taps should be avoided and all food should be screened from flies which may carry disease, and all garbage and refuse should be disposed of by burying or burning, or kept in properly-covered receptacles until removed. Finally, the importance of seeking medical advice at the earliest opportunity cannot be too greatly emphasised.” AUCKLAND PREPARES By Telncrnph—Press Association AUCKLAND, December 21. The organised effort to fight any outbreak of infantile paralysis in Auckland has been completed by the Health Department in collaboration with the Auckland Hospital. A ward has been set aside in the hospital for any cases, and the strictest watch is being kept. A special committee, comprising a physician, pathologist, orthopaedic surgeon and the senior resident medical officer, has been set up. No cases or suspects are so far reported. CONFERENCE ABANDONED By Telegraph—Press Association WANGANUI, December 21 On the advice of the Health Department and to assist in the measures to prevent the spread of infantile

paralysis, the committee responsible for the Dominion conference of Presbyterian Bible classes, which was to have opened at Wanganui on Boxing Day, has decided to abandon the conference. The cancellation of the fixture will disappoint nearly 600 persons who had registered as delegates. A CLOSE WATCH By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, December 21. “The Government is acting on medical opinion and is closely watching the situation,” said the Prime Minister today when questioned as to the Government's view of the infantile paralysis position. Mr Savage added that whatever action was recommended by the medical authorities would be carried out.