THE NEW DISEASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1919, Page 1

THE NEW DISEASE.

CASE AT KAIAPOf

CHRISTCHURCH, May 24

-Medical men state that the only case presenting similar symptoms to the new disease reported from Auckland, was one reported at Kaiapoi about a month ago. At the time the case was reported to the local branch of the British -Medical Association, the patient, a child, was well on the road to recovery, and no investigation was consequently made.

AN AUCKLAND VICTIM

AUCKLAND, May 22

A statement regarding the ppw disease was made by the medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, (Py.C. E. Maguire) at the inquest on a married man named William '1 homas Tyler, whose death occurred under an anaesthetic, and who was stated to have been suffering from lethargic euchephalitis. Hr Maguire said that several such pases had been treated in thp hospital, 'fhe disease appeared in epidemics but was not in itself epidemic. He described the principal symptoms, and said that in order to elucidate a diagpo.sis and also as a means of treatment ap examination was performed by inserting a thin hollow needle between the vertebrae. A post-mortem examine tiqu revealed congestion of the membranes of the brain. There wore also hemorrhage and an excess ot cerebospinal fluid.

DUNEDIN MAY 24

It is stated that several medical men here arc of the opinion that cases of ‘'sleeping sickness’’ here exist, and the matter has been freely discussed. In punefßn and other parts of ptago for spine weeks there had been ea¥ps the symptoms of which have caused much consideration, and recently there had come under notice one or two cases developing symptoms of a suspicious character;’ The disease is very vague in its manifestations and mostly affects the muscles of the head and face.