The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9th, 1925. THE EPIDEMIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9th, 1925. THE EPIDEMIC.

The spread of infantile paralysis lias not yet become alarming. 'The cheek scents to be due in the main to the prompt measures taken by the Health Department in controlling the movements, and pleasures of the juvenile community. 'The general effect has been, also, to avoid unnecessary congregations of adults So far the number of cases is small, and below that of 1916. the occasion of the previous visitation. Yet. withal, there is infantile paralysis as to its cause and cure. It comes in stealth, attacking the unwary and often those who think they are the best fortified against it. So far .there is nothing definitely preventive to be done. Many precautions are taken very properly, and in any case a general cleaning up is probably not the lecist useful from every point of view. This attention should lie given more often than it is, rather than wait for the shadow of an epidemic to bestir action. There is wisdom, too, in the effort to swat the flies, which at this period of the year are so numerous. The epidemic might take its rise, from a microbe, of which flics would prove

first class carriers, and war on the fly would not he out of place. 'The ej blende is asserting itself more in the North Island than in the' South, and in tbc Auckland district chiefly. Tin's suggests that the' warmer conditions are helpful to the microbe. If this be so, tbe sooner the better a cooler atmosphere prevails, though this is a time of the year lor natural hut weather. If the heat plays a material part, it will mean that the epidemic will lint he stamped out very readily, which suggests that the cleaning up methods should he rigorously attended to to prevent a possible breeding ground lor the deadly microbe. The energy ot the Health Department is being maintained very thoroughly. All cases reported, Irotn suspects onward, are closely watched, and everything possible ic being done to prevent contagion. Schools, theatres, and opportunities for

congregations of juveiidc.s. arc being controlled thoroughly. Parents should l<‘iul all possible help by ready co-ope-ration in seeing that their charges have plenty of fresh air, healthy food, and simple exercise. Any large assemblies of the young people should lie avoided while householders and the munieij al authorities should combine in a general clean-up so as to safeguard as far as it is humanly possible against any likely causes for contagion, It is clear that the medical fraternity are alive to the serious nature cl the visitation, and the

ton, are eo-ojerating iii every way possible to tillin' tlip disease. Xew Zealand lias lieen well prepared on this occasion, and the authorities are fully alert to the responsibilities. It is for the people generally to co-operate to their host ability in the matter, and bo help through the trying period.