INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 37, 31 December 1943, Page 5

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

DEPARTMENTAL WARNING '

ISSUED

.\ warning to parents in be on the constant look-out for symptoms that may be indicative of infantile para* lysis (poliomyelitis) is issued by the Department of Health, which emphasises the imperative need fcr prompt, action.. I The symptoms of infantile, paralysis. are in almost every respect the symptoms of other infective childhood diseases, says the Department. Parents should treat sick children affected by fever, headache, vomiting., drowsiness and irritability, as suspects until the trouble is diagnosed by a doctor, who should be summoned immediately the symptoms are manifest. • Suspected infantile paralysis is a matter of extreme, urgency. Early diagnosis and treatment can do much to alleviate the severity m an at lack. A highly significant symptom -s sliltness of the. spine and neck. Sometimes tli~ early symptoms may ic mi d. yet within 24 to 27 hours a child may not be able to move an .irm or leg. Cleanliness wi-l help to prevent 'n Pantile ]jara'y..-.is. Parents, should insist on frequent washing of han.ls y the. children especially be fores .liking' food. Flies -must be kept .avay iVom all food stub's, and genera! eieamines.s of bodies and house-* i.o'ds scrupulously observed. If there is an outbreak' in your iihtr'et keep the children away f.om all public gatherings an J from any niier pos.sib e source of infection. Irowds encourage the spread of infantile paralyses.