MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE.

Shannon News, 13 February 1925, Page 3

MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE.

A FRANK STATEMENT. AUCKLAND, February 9. An official statement has been made by the Auckland division of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association as tQ the present state of medical knowledge concerning infantile paralysis. H is as follows-. i. The cause Of infantile paralysis is a micro-organism. 2. Only a percentage of those infected develop paralysis; in this respect the disease resembles diphtheria. 3. A fall or an injury is sometimes alleged to be the cause of trouble. Tiie explanation of this is Mat in cases where the onset of paralysis is insidious, attention is first called to the paralysis by a fall; in other words, the oncoming paralysis, causes the fall. 4. While we are not yet certain how to isolate and deal with the infection microbe and thus prevent the disease we are certain as to what should be done When an attack of paralysis occurs. So long as any Signs of nerve irritation or progressing pjara&ysis continue, the patient must be kept at absolute rest, with suitable splinting apparatus to keep the. paralysed muscles in a neutral position. All other treatment must be subsidiary to this. 5. After the acute stage has. passed the proper treatment is massage and the re-education of the muscles. 6. By proper and efficient splinting in all stages, and .by massage and reeducation the muscles in. the great majority of cases, if not actually restored to full function, can be rendered efficient. 7. In late stages cases that have been neglected or cases in Which from the severity of the disease irrecoverable damage has been done, can be benefited by suitable mecnanical operations.