INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16330, 20 January 1921, Page 5

INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN THE NORTH. [Pep. Press Association. J AUCKLAND, January 19The danger from an epidemic of infantile paralysis, such as exists in Christchurch, was mentioned at the Auckland Hospital Board’s meeting today, when questions were asked as to the readiness of hospitals to meet a possible outbreak here. The necessity of doing something to cope with an epidemic was pointed out and it was urged that the Government should be requested to treat the disease as if it were one to be dealt with in national fashion. The chairman, Mr William Wallace, said that when they got a Massage Department such as they looked for they hoped to be in a better position to deal with infantile paralysis if it did come. Air Maekay spoke of the -necessity of the Government facilitating the treatment of children at Rotorua. in order to induce them to go there in greater numbers. The question was left in the hands of the Medical Superintendent for report. TWELVE CASES IN HOSPITAL. There are twelve cases of infantile paralysis in the Christchurch Hospital. Medical men said last ovening that tiie outbreak is a fairly serious one. Strict precautions have been taken by the Public Health Department, and it is hoped that any further cases will be reported as scon as symptoms appear. “A raised temperature, accompanied by a seedy appearance, and, perhaps, shooting pains in the ±imb to be affected—these are the first symptoms of infantile paralysis,” said Dr Thacker.

“it is a highly infectious disease, and isolation must be insisted on. The mother and other children in the family sliould bo put 14* quarantine at once. For the patient the first thing to do is to put the child in bed. Keep it wanm and give it liquid food. Also administer an aperient. Get a doctor right away and obey him implicitly. Sweets will be bad lor the child. Fruit juice will not hurt.”