LAST WORD IN EPIDEMICS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1959, 16 January 1914, Page 8

LAST WORD IN EPIDEMICS.

INFANTILE PARALYSIS. {By TelojTSLDU.—Sdscjbl CorroeDondesU v r . Chrlstchurcii, January 15.., A'Christclmrch medical man, with considerable bacteriological experience, speaking to a "News" reporter regarding tho opidqiuio of infantile paralysis at Dunedin, said that, though sporadic cases cropped up every now and again, yet so far as ho knew this was the first time- that there had been an epidemic in New Zealand. Tho disease was undoubtedly caused by a microbo, but this liad not been proved yet. Hβ doubted very, much whether tho disease would reach Uhristehurch. Epidemics of that nature, except in America, were certainly not very severe, and it was a slow-spreading one. However, so little was known as to how it spread, that it would bo impossible to de'Bcribo what steps should bo taken to guard against it. Other medical men 6een by the "News" representative were well nigh positive that'there had'btcn no p'reviousepidemic of infantile paralysis in New' Zealand, and tho opinion was oxpressed .that, tho present one had reached this country from America.

Miss Maud Beat'ty, tlio actress, in her last letter from America to her parents in Christehurch, said:—"Wo are now on tour with my own company, and the. first town struck was Eureka. Business was all right for the first few nights, but a disease known as 'infantile paralysis' broke out, and tlie authorities prohibited children attending tho theatres. As wo show three times a day this was a sorjous loss to •.is, as the matinee always comprised a grod number of children with theii parents."