INFANTILE PARALYSIS OR WHAT?

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19248, 27 February 1925, Page 5

INFANTILE PARALYSIS OR WHAT?

MEDICAL OPINION DIVIDED It is believed that there is some db | versity of opinion among local medical practitioners relative to the gravity or otherwise of the infantile paralysis epidemic. In one or two instances there is a belief that the present epidemic is not infantile paralysis at all, but an aggravated form of what is known as summer sickness. That the paralysis obtains is not discounted in medical circles, but it is contended that it is not of the magnitude reports 'would have us believe. Summer sickness is a malady that makes its appearance everywhere, in the season, and has for years never come under the notiliication of the authorities as infantile paralysis. Summer sickness brings about a high tempcraturt after nightfall, the patient returning to normal after the break of day. I” those cases high temperature brings about a contraction of the limb muscles—a Icmporary paralvsis. One Wanganui resident who holds to this view remarked to a reporter yesterday that a surprise awaited anyone who cared to visit, the infantile paralysis cases at the hospital. “There you will find the patients, all youngsters, hopping around and giving full rein to their enthusiasm in life,’’ ho said. “It is a form of summer sickness and it is only right that the public, should be supplied with full information and so minimise what is to my mind an absorb apprehension. You will notice, too, that the complaint or the notifications of such, aro on the wane throughout the country, and probably the explanation will bo found in cooler temperatures, that, feajture the gradual change of season. ICcrtainly there is infantile paralysis, jbui to suggest that it is prevalent, ns indicated by the notifications published in the papers, is down right, nonsense. Of the 60 cases that have I icon admit'ted to the hospital from the commencement of the epidemic, there have been IS deaths. Such an occurrence it ' common every summer time throughout the Dominion—sig timer sickness always ; takes its toll, but summer sickness is not infantile paralysis, though the victims suffer a temporary contraction of the limbs. There was a case reiported in the North Island of a married I woman who had contracted infantile so it was believed. The facts of the ease are that the so-called victim allowed her homo to as- ' sume such a condition as to be repulsive to the first principles of Vennlinoss. Even a baby sucking a bottlu in Iho hack vnrd shared his milk with the dog. The place was not only un- , kempt hut it was filthy and a hot- . house for any disease that might be floating about. Is it any wonder.’* concluded the Wanganui man. “the woman became ill living under such conditions? Her case was notified as infantile paralysial”