INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1930, Page 8

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

tlmk for warning

SYDNEY, February 7

Sydney is .startled by tlie likelihood of another epidemic oi infantile paralysis, such as that which left a trail ol human ruins some years ago, both in this country and in New Zealand Warning of the possibilities of an early outbreak has been uttered by a leading Sydney surgeon, who has successfully launched an appeal for a fund to be devoted to the obtaining of serum with which to combat any outbreak. In a few days over £7OO was subscribed to this -fund, and the money is still coming in. . The surgeon refenod to. Sir Charles Ciubble, is most anxious for a state of preparedness: “We have already appointed a skilled medical graduate, who will begin at once to seek and select .suitable donors of blood for the manufacture of immunising serum. Tint if this work is to he carried on to a successful issue, more money will be necessary.”

DEADLY G ASTRO-ENTERITIS. The scare is accentuated because- of the high mortality among children from the prevailing epidemic of gastroenteritis. The disease is of a most virulent type, and there have been many deaths in the city, and in several of the provincial centres. This mortality is attributed by the medical profession in a large degree, to the delay of parents in recognising symptoms and at once seeking adequate treatment; ahd warnings have been broadcast urging mothers to at once take their babies to the health centres which are numerous. It is announced by the Health Department- that the great majority of babies attending the health centres regularly are 'free from the disease. The remedy at the outset of gastro-enteritis is: “Cive the baby a teaspoonful of castor oil, and starve it for 24 hours, meanwhile administering boiled water. If you persist in feeding baby against the advice of the nurses, baby may die!’’ It is emphasised that the most skilful medical attention cannot save the child’s life if the disease has progressed to any great length. Flies (which are particularly numerous and vicious this summer, owing to a lot of rain and humid conditions) are blamed for conveying the infection.

EVIDENCES OF PAST EPIDEMICS

Regarding the appeal for funds to. fight a possible epidemic of infantile paralysis, it is notable that New South Wales is far behind Victoria in treating tliis disease, which makes such terrible ravages. The use of human mmurising serum in Victoria has proved wonderfully effective and it is the hope of Sir Charles'Clubble and his helpers that the fight can be carried on here on similar lines. Early injection of the serum has stayed the diseas i and prevented permanent paralysis in a very large percentage, and the benefit to the State economically, quite apart from the medical and humane aspect, has been immense. In the words of the eminent surgeon. New South Wales dare not further delay the work of preparation. Evidence of the ravages of infantile paralysis in the past is plentiful enough. One has only to see the number of eroded cl. klren in the streets to realise the frightful nature of the scourge. In this connection there is the grand movement to provide free specialist treatment to crippled children. A la go fund was raised by public subscription for this purpose, and aflliered children who offer any hope ol improvement are being treated free i‘v the most modern and skilful moans available—even being brought huml'-oti of miles from the country to receive, a Mention.

THE HORROR OF VANIK Oil A. llur. if anything- further was needed to awaken public form it is the rep ct just made by Dr. R. Martin, late Government medical officer and q'lainn tine officer at Vanikora, in the So: mien Islands, bn the recent epidemic ihtre. In bis opinion it was the lack of serum that caused “the unwarranted ■ Leith a. there.” The damage was appalling Over 250 died, and thousands—a' ,h . i.div thousands—were permanently crip 1. With the use of serum, the doctor considered the deaths would have been minced to well under 50 and 4 he ai runt of disablement reduced in nio-» pu lion. That was to say that the d« all:

and disablement would have been only o- c-fifth of what actually ensued Ami Lao enough as it was, the cpi -1 .ii.c referred to was not really vii ulent. 'Had it been virulent, the out rva'c wculd have been appalling,” sas Dr Mai tin. One would think it was qc'-e appalling enough in any case.

DIED LIKE FLIES. - The point made by Dr Martin, ami o n* which should be realised by a.l, is tint unless the disease is treated-.w lb serum in the early stages, death oi c-'-ippling invariably result. No so '.m wvs available lor the* natives who »i -?d ilk : flies.” Serum- was cabled for to the Commonwealth laboratories —and the astounding reply was that there was none available. The story of the \ aniker;. epidemic is one of terrible lmpci'ence. There was no equipment w th w 1 jeh to meet the outbreak. The lm«p:iat like all other houses there, "as bui't over water. Subsidence o ihe pi;.-- took place, and at each si )e ihe water rose over the floor. So “notiiii-.' could be done for the natives. ’ Small settlements some distance re-a >ed from the port were affected one by one The natives were not treated, and cl,eel or became horribly disfigured, -vithout any hope of assistance. Even in the streets, they collapsed and frequoid v died.

DISGRACEFUL R ECKLESSN ESS. And here is the disgraceful part of the business, apart from the manner n which the unfortnate natives were allowed to die for lack of adequate medical aid an(l supplies. Ships called at Vanikora. They were loaded by native labour, and despite Dr Martin’s repeated attempts to stop them, they proceeded .to Sydney. The native labourers frequently died and many more were affected. Germs of the disease, l)r Martin points out, can be carried by a person who is, untouched and unaffected, and quarantine officers would have been unable to detect infantile paralysis in the persons examined. “A rigorous supervision should be made of all these ships, or we shall have an epidemic hereat any time. All members of crews should receive treatment. Sterilisation of the throat when the germs generally lurk, would fake the risk of infection very small.” i If there is an outbreak of infantile paralysis in Sydney, it will be easily com in uni cable to New Zealand by the “carriers” to whom Dr. Martin refers. It is to he hoped, therefore that New Zealand is adequately provided with serum with which to fight infantile paralysis in the event of unpleasant possibilities becoming realities.