New Ailment: "Shoppingbag Neuritis"

Chronicle (Levin), 22 July 1948, Page 2

New Ailment: "Shoppingbag Neuritis"

Press Assoclatton)

(Per

WELLINGTON, July 21. Therc was 110 doubt whatsoever thut ihe health of women in Xew Zealand over the past oight years had ineurred a steady deterioration, and tlie nianii'estatioiis of tliis had not been vague, but evident ia a speeific aihnent, knowu to doetors as "shopping-bag neiiritis, " said a long-establislied praetitioner with a large praetiec today. "This new ailment has beeome verv widespread, and has been steadiiy increasing siuee early ia the war," ho said. ",lt seems inevitable that this increaso will eontiuue. " The symptoms were acute neuritis of the right arai and shouhler, he said. "It is no joko, " ho eomuiented. "Far too many marricd women have lieen erippled with it. It is general aiuong all age groups except very young women. ' ' New Zealand had not been the only country where tliis ailment had been uoticcd. It had initially received its uamc in Britaiu, where many women were sufferers from it. "Nover beforo have I seen women so tired and encrvated, " he said. "This is beyond a doubt attributable to the eonditiojis under which they have lived over the past years. "There has been hdrd labour foi women for years," hc contiuucd. "They are unable to obtain help in the homes, most of them are in need of holidays, which for many are iiupoSsible bocause of their family obligations, and their general health has inevitably suffored. "