INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2717, 11 March 1916, Page 6

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

TWO MORE CITY CASES

ADVICE TO THE PEOPLE

Six cases of infantile paralysis in tlio Wellington district were reported to tho Public Health Authorities yesterday. Two of the now cases are in Wellington City—one in tlio same neighbourhood as the previous cases, and one at Miramar. Of the other eases, two are at Napier, one at Wangauui, and one at Urenui. The District Health Officer (Dr. Smith) informed a reporter that all cases were being isolated in hospitals, and every precaution was being taken with contacts. The danger from the epidemic would bo very muoli lessened, lie' said, if people would take the precaution of using some antiseptic for the nose and throat—say, formalin tablets or eucalyptus—of ■keeping conditions good about their houses, and of looking after their children thoroughly. Parents should guard especially against allowing their children to mix too freely with ether children. It was true that the schools were still being kept open, but the schools were now clean and healthy, and if children were given freedom from vcliool they would probably be just in as close touch with other children, perhaps under less healthy conditions, as if they were at school. Furthermore, the great majority of cases occurred in children not yet old enough to attend school. Possibly if the epidemic became more general, the schools would yet have to be closed. "We thought we were getting the epidemic fairly well down," said Dr. sniith, "and we have really been extremely lucky here in Wellington City. If we can keep people going as we are, we ought to have the thing in _ hand 'within a few weeks, but wliilo this hot weather continues there is very little chance of the disease subsiding. AO doubt a large number of adults, old enough to be proof against the disease, yet have the infection, and they aro probably spreading it to others. That is why we advise the use of some antiseptic for the nose and throat." Dr. Smith added that as the "period of incubation" Was seven, days, the epidemic would not be stopped dead by cooler weather. The sickness wouH continue to occur for at least a week longer, but he hopes, as he has already remarked, that when cold 1 weather comes the epidemic will diß out. At the monthly meeting of the Makara County Council, held, yesterday, the following motion was agreed to:— "That in view of the spread of infantile paralysis it is resolved to ask the. Health Department to report upon a certain property at Newlands, with a request that immediate action .Be taken if found necessary." EPIDEMIC IN TARANAKI. By Telegraph.—(Special Correspondent.) Hawera, March 10. Victims of infantile paralysis are increasing along the coast. A fine sturdy young man of 25 was stricken down in the Taranaki district a few days ago, and died within a few hours. ' A similar fate befell a girl at Otakeho, and on Wednesday a young man.of 20 years of age, son of a well-known settler at Waverley, was attacked and died tho following morning. It is now stated that there are two fresh cases near New Plymouth, one at Fitzroy, and the other at Smart Road, whilst two cases are also reported at Wanganui. This morning two fresh cases were reported to the local Health authorities, one being a child two years old, resident in Hawera, and the other a male, 21 years, from Rowan. To date 21 cases have been notified to the Hawera Hospital lioard.. . HA WEE'S BAY TOTAL. Napier, March 10. There is another «case of infantile paralysis—a child three - years oldmaking tho fifth Napier case, and a total of ten for Hawko's Bay. NO FRESH CASES ' IN GISBORNE. By Telegraph,—l'rcss Association. Cisborno, March 10. No fresh cases of infantile paralysis have been reported for two days, though another death .occurred yesterday. The authorities attribute the check in the disease to tlio spell of broken weather. There have been 36 cases and four deaths. The general policy of cleaning up continues; and the schools will remain closed for some days yet. 1 THE AUCKLAND EPIDEMIC PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLOSED. ■ By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, March 10. Five eases of infantile paralysis were reported from the country to-day— none in the city. The total cases today is now 182 in the country and 165 iu tho city. 1 It has been decided to further postpone reopening of the city schools until March 20, and also to continue to close the country schools for the same period. A SIMPLE PRECAUTION. The following simple prescription, designed to act as a safeguard against attacks of infantile paralysis and spinal meningitis, has been written by a doctor: — 4. grns. menthol. 4 minims, oil of eucalyptus, loz. vaseline. Put a piece of the above misture, about) tho size of a pea, into the nostril.