INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2857, 23 August 1916, Page 5

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

—— SPECIAL FORM OP MASSAGE.. The reports from Wellington regarding the situation which has arisen between. Nurse Bevilaqua and the Hospital Board have caused a good deal of interest in Christchurch, particularly among those who attended her clinics and were associated with her in other ways. When asked for his opinion of Nurse Bevilaqua's massage treatment for patients suffering from tho effects of infantilo paralysis Dr. Cliesson, officer in charge of the Health Office in Christ- ' church, said lie considered it thoroughly sound and scientific, apart from the technicalities of the profession. He said it appealed to the understanding, because of its common-sense methods. "Undoubtedly," said Dr. Cliesson, "good results have been achieved by means of this treatment, of which Nurse Bevilaqua does not claim to be any more than an exponent. I am very much surprised that there has been any lack of enthusiasm regarding it in other districts." Coincident with Nuree Bevilaqua's second visit to Cliri6tchurcli, Miss Millar, a student of tho Dunedin School of Massage, went up to join the 6taff of the Public Hospital for a period of three months, during which time she was to icork in accordance with the Mackenzie method—the one followed by Nurse Bevilaqua. The Mackenzie treatment was introduced to the Dunedin School of Massage some time before the visit of Nurse Bevilaqua, and tho doctors, masseurs, and masseuses wore fully convinced that it was a successful method. Miss Millar mentioned the case of a child who had not been able to move her k" for years, although she had received every kind of treatment which has hitherto obtained favour in tho cure of paralysis. The patient had received particularly close care and attention, being tho near relative of a doctor, But tho caso remained obstinate. After four days of Nurse Bevilaqua's treatment the muscles commenced to move. The leg was first rested in splints, which allowed the defective muscles to relax, and then the work of "educating" or "exercising" them commenced. Best and education are 'tho main features of the treatment. The cure is sometimes slow, said Miss Millar, hut, as far as her experience went, it was sure. Sho had had jett-ors from fellow students in Dunedin written 'after Nurso Bevilaqua's departure telling her of many remarkable results, and she expressed herself as fully convinced of its beneficial nature.