INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2775, 19 May 1916, Page 3

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

EFFECT OF SKILFUL TREATMENT NURSE BEVILAQUA'S WAY ' At yesterday's meeting of the Wellington Hospital and Charitablo Aid Board, the following interesting communication was received from tho Inspector-General of ( Hospitals (Dr. T. 11. A. Valintine) "Sir—By direction of tho Honourable the Minister of Public Health (tho Hon. G. W. Eussell), I havo tho honour to ask tho assistance of your board in an endeavour to secure i'or. sufferers from, infantilo paralysis" such continuation of treatment as in tho opinion of the most skilled exponents is calculated to bring back power to the paralysed muscles. "Subsequent to the acute stages of tho disease the objects of treatmeut are: (a) I'n aid tho recovery of the damaged nerve elements and paralysed muscles; (b) To aid the muscle and bone development; (c) To prevent deformities. ' "lo effect these, the measures taken we: (1) General hygienic and dietetic care and nursing; (2) medicinal treatment; (3/ stimulation of tho affected and damaged muscles; (1) massage; (5) elcctrical treatment. "At present it is my desire to seek your board's aid, especially in regard to the third measure. "By direction of the Hon. Minister o* Public Health, tho services of Nurse Bevilaqua, of Adelaide, have been obtained. Sho is alt present in Wellington, find is engaged in practically demonstrating tho methods of Dr. Kobert Jones, of Liverpool, as. modified by Dr. William M'Kouzio, of Melbourne, by whom slio has beon trained. Sho is a (rained nurse andmasseuse of many ..years' standing. Her demonstrations Jiavo already proved to 'her audiences here that she has had much c-xporicnco of tho treatment of infantila paralysis; that she is capable of imparting her knowledge to others, and that much benefit to sufferers can bo antici. pated by tho practice of her methods. The methods used by Nursei Bevilaqua are .'to ascertain what muscles are affect, ed; to teach the child how to try and move the muscles voluntarily; to 'secure rest for those, muscles by the use of special appliances, thus preventing tho stretching of. tho paralysed muscles by tho strong; and lo obviato the deformities that would arise therefrom if unrestricted. In the light of modern medical knowledge, permanent deformities following on an attack of infantile paralysi9 must be regarded as in part due to in- | sufficient or improper 'treatment. It is, ■therefore, the duty of hospital boards to take on active part in furthering the necessary steps to mitigate those distressing results which must supervene if such children are left to carry these deformi. ties into adult life.

"Your nursing staff is already trained in goneral hygienic and dietetic methods, and somo in massage and electrical troalr ment. To secure for your board the special training necessary for the measures used, by Nurse Bevilaqua, I suggest that your board select from its staff a nurse-, (aj Who has a sound knowledge of the position of tho prominent muscles of the body; (b) who has a strong liking for, and influence over, children. "Under the first category your board might select the masseuse of your hospital, or a sister 'Who has had massage teaching. Tho second category is most vital, for unless the nurse selected is prepared to devote herself to her young charges, to put up with their , whims imil fancies, likes and dislikes, to elicit their confidence and affection, to encourage them 'to uelearn' to use their damaged muscles, to impress the parents by her own personal character and manner, little good result can. be expected. ,Ii is much to ask of a nurse, but I am rare you have- one amongst your staff who can be a success. No greater rewird could sho hope for than to know she had helped even one li'ttle child to walk." "The selected nurse should receive training from Nurse Bevilaqua. Suitable arrangements will be made for boarding her, along with other nurses undergoing tuition, at the lowest possiblo cost to your board. After receiving training, your nurso will undertake on the earns lines 'the treatment of cases at your hospital. To reach cases discharged from or outside your hospital your board should notify parents that, special treatment is available for . their children. Eor thoso parents and children who cannot attend at 'the hospital, it is desirable that the r.urse visit at their homes. One of the' nurse's duties will be to instruct the mother how to follow up the treatment advised for tho particular case. The Hon. the Minister is prepared to pay claims for locomotion expenses incurred on 6uch visits. I shall be glad. if. your board will give this matter its earliest consideration, and signify its concurrence by furnishing me with the name of the nurse it seledts i'or this most important duty." % At' tho invitation of' the chairman,, the acting-medical superintendent (Dr. Morice) said he had seen the lady at/work on chiMren, and tho results were really remarkable, not only in her. treatment, but the control she had over the children. Ho thought the difficulty would be in getting a nurse with tho same mental qualities who would have the same control over the children. The nurse was giving demonstrations of her system every morning at 9 o'clock, and would be glad to welcome any members of the board. The metiod was quite siniplo and extremely interesting. ' The board approve';} of the demonstrations and the training of some of tlio "nurses in tho methods of Nurse Bevila.qua. '