AUCKLAND DOCTORS WANT SCHOOLS REOPENED

Chronicle (Levin), 31 March 1948, Page 4

AUCKLAND DOCTORS WANT SCHOOLS REOPENED

Press Association ;

(Per

AUCKLAND, Mareh 30. Basing their coiiclusions 011 recoi'^s of cases of infantiie paralysis admitted to the -Auckland Hospital over the past six ^ \\ eeks, sojue Auckland doctors are taking tlie view that 'ie schools in. the Auckland district shonld be opened immediately. They hold that exposure to tlie disease ifow when it- js generajly appearing only inV niild form among.children, would give ijninunity in.'adult years when its course is usualiy more severe. Between Febrnary 14 and Mareh 24 ,a total of 15 children . under v 16 years .was admitted as positive* * jy cas.es to hospital and among- them there was. only one case of paralysis which Was in :a slight form and affected a ieg. The child concerned was admitted on F.ebruary 16. Only six of the cases came from the Auckland area, the remai nder being admitted from outlying districfs. . Since February 21 nine adults havo been admitted and four serious cases of pamiysis included one death, It is mainta\ned that these- figares prove that the disease affects adults much more ■ seriouslv than children. The 0 pipi 011 ia hejd that tho authorities shonJd .take into consideration the fac.t .that infantiie paralysis is one of the diseases of chjjdhood frotp which. immunity is subsequently secnr.ed and that those who suffer from jts severe form ip adult life are those whom (it did no-t affect as children. A.panel of jonsultants who have been treating ' cases at .the Auckland Hospital, wiil meet the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. L. ,S. Davis, to-uiorrow.