INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4795, 5 January 1925, Page 3

INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. A circular has been issued by the Health Department setting out the main symptoms of infantile paralysis (of which a number of cases have been reported in Auckland), with the suitable methods for the prevention of the disease if carried out in a regular manner by the individual. Dr. T, F. Telford, Medical Officer of Health, states that so far no cases of this disease have been notified in the Canter-bury-Westland heal.th districts. Following is the text of the circular :—

Anterior Poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis) is an infectious .disease which attacks principally babies and young children, although adults are not exempt. It begins with irritability of temper and drowsiness, accompanied by headache, vomiting, fever, and stomach and bowel troubles. Paralysis affecting one or more groups of muscles, especially of the limbs, may supervene, and may even prove fatal. Medical advice should at once be obtained in such cases.

The disease is carried from person to penson. and the infection, is taken through the nose and mouth. The throat, nose, and bowel discharges of the patient can carry infection, and these should always be disinfected. So far as is known, the infection is not carried by water or milk. Prevention.—All gatherings of young children must be avoided, and young children must not be allowed to enter any house where there is any case of sickness. Kissing and fondling of children should not lie allowed. Children should not use drinking cups, etc., in common.

The sick should be isolated from the healthy, and in strict isolation and appropriate nursing cannot be obtained at home the patient should be treated in an isolation, hospital. The sick room and its contents should be disinfected the end of the illneiss. Persons who are brought into contace with the patients are advised to disinfect the throat and nose. For tli is purpose an antiseptic solution such as either of the following is recommended for use twice or three times daily in hand sprays or atom-

isers : (a) Permanganate of potash : Half a teaspoonful of common salt to a breakfast cup of tepid water made very faintly pink with permanganate of potash or Condy’" ' fluid. (b) Peroxide of hydrogen : 1 per cent, solution. When hand sprays are not readily available the antiseptic solution should be poured into the palm of the hand, sniffed up through the and expelled through the mouth; afterwards some more of the solution should be used as a mouth wash and gargle. . Thijs method is only practicab'e with older children and adults. It is desirable in the .first instance that this should be done under medical instruction and supervision.