VIRULENT DIPHTHERIA.

Shannon News, 11 August 1922, Page 2

VIRULENT DIPHTHERIA.

SIX DEATHS IN FIVE MONTHS

“A severe type of diphtheria is prevaLeni now, and the ppblic is not alive to vhe danger of delay in obtaining advice,. especially when the disease attacks the windpipe,” said the Medical Superintendent of the Palmerston North Hospital (Rr. honest} in the course of his report to a meeting of the Hospital' Board yesterday. “A few hours’ delay may he fatal. In the last five months there have been six deaths as compared with one for the' whole -of last year. Six cases were treated during the month.” v In reference to this, the chairman (Sir James Wilson) said he hoped the doctor’s words would be widely noted, arrd he would like to give a word of advice to parents to seek medical advice if any soreness manifested itself in a child’s throat. Sir James commented on the number of cases of scarlet fever and diphtheria now when isolation was compulsory, compared with 20 years ago. , , “I do not think we have any control over epidemics of this nature,” replied Dr. Forrest, “There has been for the last three years an increased amount of scarlet fever and diphtheria.” All those who were susceptible took these complaints, and they died out only for a period arid reappeared when a new generation of children susceptible to them grew up. There was no way of controlling these epidemics. In all the European countries the same conditions obtained. The Health authortiies were trying to do away with diphtheria by destroying the carriers. In this connection, the hospital bacteriologist visited Feilding during the week and swabbed the throats of 200 children. Mr W. Murdoch expressed the opinion that dirty surroundings were largely responsible for such as indicated by Shannon's experience. About five years ago there were over 80 cases! of diphtheria in Shannon. When the borough was formed a disgraceful state of affairs, in respect of dirty hack yards was disclosed, hut strict, measures were taken and all these places had been cleaned up and kepi clean. Since then there had been very little diphtheria in Shannon.