ADVICE TO PUBLIC.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 326, 6 January 1937, Page 7

ADVICE TO PUBLIC.

Precautions To Take For Paralysis. (Contributed by the Department of | Health.) Infantile paralysis or poliomyelitis J as it is technically called is a germ ; disease. 11. occurs most often in the j summer months and mostly among j children. There is much evidence to ; support the opinion that the disease | both in its mild and in its severe form > is directly transmissible from person ! to person. In addition, healthy ear- | riers, persons who have been in con- i tact with a case, or another carrier, I can carry the virus in the mucus I i membrane of their nose and throats . without suffering any symptoms. These carriers, even if the infection they carry comes from a mild case, may produce an attack of Revere type if they chance to convey the infection to a sufficiently susceptible person.

Early Treatment Imperative, Infantile paralysis in the beginning ■ often resembles other diseases of childhood, so no matter how mild the sickness may seem, get a doctor’s advice, A child that is perfectly well becomes restless and drowsy. He is irritable and feverish and does not want to be moved. There may be headaches or pains in the muscles, a transient flushing of the face, abnormal sweating or retention of urine. The initial illness may be apparently slight and trivial, its true nature being evidenced by the onset of paralysis a few days after. Therefore, it is necessary to be on one’s guard, so that the doctor may be called in before the disease has reached the paralytic stage. Keep all other children away from a child suspected to he suffering from infection. Precautions. As a precautionary measure, keep your children away from crowds. IL is good for them to be out of doors, but large gatherings of people, especially inside, should be avoided. Do not let children become over-fatigued, do not allow them to play long peri-

ods in hot sunshine, and be careful to keep the head and back of the neck well protected by a shady hat. See that they have plenty of sleep in wellventilated bedrooms and that their diet is simple. Be sure that the children’s bowels are regular. Younger children should have a nap after lunch. The use of common property—towels, handkerchiefs, toothbrushes, etc,., should be avoided and promiscuous

kissing of children should be banned. Make children wash their hands and face before eating. Keep your house as clean as you can. Fresh air and i sunlight are Nature’s best destroyers of germs. It behoves all who come in contact with a case of infantile paralysis to strictly carry out all instructions of the medical attendant and health authorities as to isolation and precautionary measures to be obj served. No personal precaution -an ; be too great to prevent the spread to • others.