SLEEPING SICKNESS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2040, 11 October 1919, Page 1

SLEEPING SICKNESS.

“NO TENDENCY TO INCREASE.”

At the meeting of the Hospital Board on Thursday, a letter was received from the Inspector-General of the Public Health Department in reply to a telegram from (he Board expressing alarm in-regard to of lethargic encephalitis, which the Inspector stated had been miscalled “sleeping sickness.” The letter contained the information that an investigation had.been made, showing that in three months three cases arose in the Palmerston North hospital district, one being in the town, one several - miles from town, and one at Levin. Taking the Dominion generally, the disease showed no tendency to increase, but rather the, reverse, as fewer cases had been reported in August and September than in July. The disease was one, apparently, which was a remote sequel of influenza..epidemics. It was reported in lta.lv after the 1899 outbreak. The writer added that he had known of sporadic cases in New Zealand in the last 25 years, and there was no cause for alarm about the disease, which showed no in!activity.

Dr. Whitaker said the letter was very satisfactory, and that it wasv also satisfactory to note that headquarters recognised that the Board had a right to ask for a report. The letter was “received.”