AFTERMATH OF ’FLU.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3404, 7 February 1920, Page 3

AFTERMATH OF ’FLU.

DEADLY BRAIN MALADY

SPREADING IN FRANCE.

LONDON. Jan. 30.

Reutel"s special con-e.e',_;ondent in Paris reports that lethargic encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) is spreading in France. An expm-t states that the disease was particular» ly virulent in 17123 and 1890. It is

undeniably connected with influenz.:x.,! though it is of a different nature. E The ‘malady is a gl‘a’."e one, and 25‘ per cent. of the cases prove fatal, but!‘ it is neither very contagious nor in-i fectious. It is the result of the localisation in the nervous substance of the brain or an invisible miérohe resembling the microbe of infantile paralysis, and is characterised by fairly high fever. and a curious state of somnolence_ partiicularly resulting in the paralysis of ithe muscles moving the eyeballs. F Sir Arthur Newsholme, chief I‘.T!-’?(ll-[cal officer to the Local GOVQl'lllllL‘.llt Board, London, {Vublished the result ‘of his inquiries respecting lethargic encephalitis in Januai-y, 1919. In April, L9lB, a disease known as “botul3.'<nl” made its appeaa-:i.n(=e. ohal'actel'is4_-«J by a condition of" increasing langziui-, muscular weakness, and nerve pai.~":<-s. At the time there was a marked food shortage, and S'll‘bStitllteS of one lzimi or another were being used.

‘A »preliminary inquiry on'Esß c:..:«<ae,s followed, and many samples of food were dealt with. It had been sug

gested: 1. That the disease might be due to the bacillus botulinus. 2. That it might be due to urgmfic

poisons in the food. 3. That it might be due to 1:-xck of

fresh food

4. That it might. be connecjrer] with the use nf benzine in the 131n'n13‘l'21.(‘—

ture of oleo-margarine.

5. That it might be due to tbs: 'x\.s:e

of potatoes

Failure to find the bacillus ‘n(:T.IZI

inus ended the “Ibo’ru)ism" .:c~:l.r€, and it. was then suggested that the tiistgase was closely akin to infantile paralysis. Experiments were carried out, and the conclusion was arrived at that the new disease differed from" infantile paralysis and all other conrlitions'. No germ was found, and the origin of the disease remained a mystery.