INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 67, 18 March 1916, Page 2

INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

GOVERNMENT HEALTH OFFICER INTERVIEWED. Dr. Sydney Smith, Government Health Officer, interviewed in Wanganui, said. The disease was caused by minute organisms, so small as to be visible under a high powered microscope only. It was now being grown in cultures in laboratories, and Dr. Flexene, of the Rockefeller Institute, had transmitter the disease to monkeys from cultures. It was found that the organisms obtained access to the tissues of the fapihjal cord through the lining membrane 'of the nose and throat. It was also transmitted by bites from insects, such as flies, fleas, and bugs. Dust also carried the infection. There was no doubt that long joati-mel heat and dryness were unfavourable conditions. ■AM the outbreaks of Europe, America, and the colonies had been associated with hot, dry, weather.

Proceeding, Dr. Smith said it had been stated that the sea beaches were a possible source of infection, but the fact that a number of casas had occurred inland rather negatived that suggestion. There was no doubc that long exposure tc the sun without sufficient covering or chills might be pro-dispos-ing causes. DANGER IN-KISSING. Fond parents, and possibly others, will be interested to learn that there is danger in kissing. The disease, said the doctor, could bedspread by healthy adults, -the infection being conveyed in secretions in the nose and throat. Parents should not kiss their children,, and on no account to alh-w other people to do so, ?s it is by that means c'rgani-sms from an apparently healthy adult are transmitted to r. healthy child. SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE.

The usual first symptoms of the (lis ease were that a child refused food, and complained of headache or a pair in the back of the neck. Vomiting occurred. The temperature rose to 100 or 102 degrees. After one or two days paralysis supervened, the , part? paralysed being usually the arms or legs, but any muscle in the body might be effected. In some eases paralysis had occurred in the muscles of the neck only. After paralysis occurred,

the , symptoms usually subsided, and an improvement in toe condition took place gradually. Dr. Smith explained the difference between cerebro - spinal meningitis / and infantile paralysis. The first was an inflammation of the membrane lining of the spinal tfbrd and braiu, and the latter was inflammation of a certain part of the spinal cord itself, causing destruction of th. 3 delicate membrane cells which led to the nerves supplying the muscles, and when the nerve cells are cut off the muscles were unable to contract. AN IMPOETxVNT POINT. "A doctor should be called at the first sign of -suspicions symptoms,'' iaidsaid Dr. Smith, in conclusion, "as much more good can be lone before paralysis occurs than after. Many of "ha cases have resulted in permanent paralysis, a most distressing thing to happen to a healthy child.'' The local authorities were doing their part to help in every way they could, and parents were earnestly appealed to so that they could do all in their power to keep the epidemic within restricted limits. At the present time parents had a big responsibilty. They should see that their premises were kept in a, thoroughly sanitary condition. Children should not be subjected to the extremes of heat v chills, the latter particularly after bathing. They should also be kept away from assemblies, places of ente" tainment, and dusty thoroughfares. It was advisable for .both adults achildren to douche the nose and throat with mild antiseptics. For general purposes strong sntiseptics, of which sheep-dip was a particularly good one, should be used.