INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4790, 17 December 1924, Page 4

INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

: PREVALENCE IN WELLINGTON. STATEMENT BY DR. HUGHES. That dread disease, infantile paralysis, which took such severe toll of the youth of Auckland in 1916, and left its mark in maimed and crippled children trailing their withered and attenuated limbs, has manifested itself again in Wellington, but so far Auckland is remarkably free from ir. Whereas there were 14 eases in Wellington in the past fortnight there have 'not been that many in Auckland since May, 1922. There were six cases in that year, but in 1923 the number fell to four, while so Ear this year there have been only two cases, reported in June last. These sporadic cases, however, show the tendency M tlie disease to linger among the population, and a statement was made by Dr. Hughes, the Medical . Officer of Health in Auckland, showing its

origin, causes of infection, amd precautions that can be taken to prevent it. The disease, said Dr. Hughes, affects chidr,en, the majority of cases occurring between the ages of one and two years, after which period the incidence progressively diminishes with increasing age, adults being comparatively little affected. The causes are exposure to varying heats, fatigue appearing to render the victim more susceptible ; aggregation of people rti ill-ventilated places, insanitary conditions, and morbid state of the throat, nose, and intestines. Since the virus may leave the throat, it if imperative to prevent unprotected coughing or sneezing, while, to guard against tlie extremes of temperature, children should lie protected against the sum especially their heads, Kisising of children on tlie lips by adults should not be tolerated, emphasises the doctor. Fresh air, suitable clothing; and general cleanliness arc furthei pxvventatives. At the time of an epidemic contact and mixing with suf-

ferers should be avoided. Gargles with salt and water and well diluted Condyt or peroxide and similar solutionis ior washing the nose are good prophylactics for the further prevention oi the disease. The Medical Officer emphasised tlie •necessity of local bodies adhering to the regular Sanitary precautions, and also the suppression of the fly menace by screening garbage and spraying its receptacles with kerosene or other fly prevent.atives. The use of communal drinking is also condemmed when the disease is prevalent. The general symptoms of the disease are sickness, digestive distill batice, feverishness, headache, pains in the neck or limbs, marked prostration or weakness, vomiting, twitching of the muscles, constipation or diarrhoea. Discussing the methods or treatment once a case has occurred in tlie household. Dr. Hughes stated that the patient should be removed to a hospital or strictly isolated if treated at home. All discharges must be at once burnt, and all utensils boiled, tvud no food, or* other matter from the sick room should De uised by other members of the family. The sick room should be screened against flies, and animals excluded from the house. Books and toys used by the patient should be afterwards burnt. Other members of the household should use a gargle daily, while lozengee were a further preventative.