INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 305, 26 December 1936, Page 10

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

ADVICE TO PUBLIC PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE ! Infantile paralysis or poliomelitis as it is technically called is a germ disease. It occurs most often in the summer months and mostly among children. There is much evidence to support the opinion that the disease both in its miid and in its severe form is directly transmissible from person to person. In addition, healthy carriers, persons who have been in contact with a case, or another carrier, can carry the virus in the mucus membrane of their nose and throats without suffering any symptoms. ■ These carriers, even if the infection I they carry comes from a mild case, ■ may produce an attack of severe type I if they chance to convey the infec- ’ I tion to a sufficiently susceptible per- ’ | son. - i Early Treatment Imperative. Infantile paralysis in the beginning > often resembles other diseases of 5 childhood, so no matter how mild the ' sickness may seem get a doctor's i advice. A child that is perfectly well » becomes restless and drowsy. He is iri ritablc and feverish and does not want ? to be moved. There may be head- - aches or pains in the muscles, a i transient flushing of the face, abnor- - mal sweating or retention of urine i The initial illness may be apparently 5 slight and trivial its true nature be- - ing evidenced by the onset ol 5 paralysis a few days after. Therefore ■ it is necessary to be on one’s guarc 5 so that the doctor may 7 be called ir 1 before the disease has reached the * paralytic stage. Keep all other children away from a child suspected tc 1 be suffering from infection. Precautions. i As a precautionary measure kee; - ’ your children away from crowds. Il i : is good for them to be out of doors / I but large gatherings of people especit j ally inside should be avoided. Do no: 1 I let children become over-fatigued, d: - j notallow them to play long periods ir i I hot sunshine, and be careful to kee; • the head and back of the neck wel | protected by a shady hat. See thai ; they have plenty of sleep in well ven- } . tilated bedrooms and that their die _ is simple. Be sure that the children*! _ bowels are regular. Younger childrei . I should have a nap after lunch. Tht i use of common property—towels { handkerchiefs. toothbrushes etc. e should be avoided and promiscuous t kissing of children should be banned _ Make children wash their hands ant i face before eating. Keep your hous< e as clean as you can. Fresh air ant sunlight are nature’s best destroy e ers of germs. It behoves all wh< - come in contact with a case of in >, fantile paralysis to strictly carry <u d all instructions of the medical at e tendant and health authorities as t t isolation and nrecautionary measure a to be observed. No personal precau a tion can be too great to prevent th< spread to others. 1