The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 2nd, 1925. THE EPIDEMIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 2nd, 1925. THE EPIDEMIC.

In the course of a pamphlet issued by tile Health Department it is recorded that since 1880 to the present day over 150 outbreaks of infantile paralysis have been recorded throughoiTT' the wornl. In 45 epidemics which occurred before 1905, the average number of eases was very low. Since then there has !>een a marked increase both in the frequency of the epidemics and in the average of cases recorded in each. The number of cases now averages from 300 to 609, and as an exceptional instance. New York City reported 8,928 eases in 1916 with 2407 deaths. The disease has been the subject of close study for some time now. In 1909 experiments with monkeys by means of innoculation were begun. The symptoms are now well described, and its pathology is definitely known. The disease is produced by organisms so minute that they will pass through the pores of the finest laboratory filter and remain invisible under the highest powered microscope. It has been proved that healthy associates of infantile paralysis cases occasionally harbor the virus in their noses and throats. One attack' confers a high degree of im-

inanity, but it is like measles “a very communicable disease.” Most eases arc mild, escape notice, and leave the inindividual protected against further attacks. There is thus a high degree of acquired immunity except in the young. Only the occasional severe ease with paralysis is recognised and diagonised as infantile paralysis. It is most infectious during the early singes of the disease. It is therefore a common infection, always present in the community, hut which in recent years, and particularly in the late summer and autumn seasons, lias gained an increased virulence. Persons under 1G yea’s contribute 90 per cent of the eases. There is much evidence that the disease both in its mild and in its severe form is directly transmissible from person to person, hut carriers do not always suffer any symptoms. Br Valintine does not favor the theory that insects and vermin spread tho disease, neither docs lie think the seasons have much to do with its spread. The disease it appears, follows lines of transport rather than to correspond to any definite climatic factor. He negatives the idea, that domestic animals are culprits in extending it, and considers it exclusively a human disease, and is spread by personal contact. In this it is explained that by persona! contact is meant the inclusion of all the usual opportunities, direct or indirect, immediate or inter-medi-ate, for the transference of body discharges from person to person, having in mind as a possibility that tho infection may occur through contaminated food. The victims of the disease are almost without exception, sturdy robust children. Though this has caused much speculation, and is a very marked feature of infantile paralysis, it is bv no means exceptional from other infectious diseases. Pneumoniq and, in some epidemics, influenza select the robust. Water, milk, dust, or mosquitoes are vetoed as causes of imfeetion. Still, all that is known about the disease is very negative. It is well therefore that the Government is supporting the matter of research. This should not apply necessarily to the present, but should go on, even if in a few weeks the epidemic might disappear. It will recur again, and the country must needs he forearmed to the fullest extent. Laboratory investigations should go on to the fullest extent all the year round and this is a branch of science which should never he neglected. It is essential to keep in touch with what is being done in other countries in their research methods, and to follow them up by local application of any discoveries. The country was caught unawares at the time of the influenza

epidemic, hut more stringent regulation is taking place just now. Hut the medical men arc still groping in the dark, and their good offices should be supplemented by the fullest investigation on the part of the .State in the interests of the general health of the Dominion. The cast in the matter does not count in such cases where the saving of valuable human lives is at stake. Laboratory investigations should he pursued to the fullest extent of the known resources of science.