INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1916, Page 7

INFANTILE PARALYSIS.

To the Editor. Sir, —I recently read in the Daily News extracts from a letter of a Wellington doctor, who asserts that the dreadful disease known as infantile paralysis lias its origin in the common house fir. It i 3 impossible to argue that the house fly is not an active agent in spreading infection, but to attribute to it tiie origination of disease is a step beyond the limits of probability. One theory, which I venture to suggest is well grounded, is that infantile paralysis has its origin in the disease known as black-quarter or black-leg, so prevalent quite recently among the young stock of the country. There are many, features in common, and a few may be briefly referred to here. In the great majority of eases young cattle in. good condition have been the victims. The patient becomes paralysed in the limbs, 'but the eye remains clear and brig'ht until the last stage approaches, and the ■patient, apparently, sensibly notices occurrences near at hand. The progress of the disease is appallingly rapid, and generally results fatally. Where, however, a patient has recovered a noticeable after-effect is the paralysis and shrinkage of, at least, one limb. All of t'hose symptoms are apparent in both diseases. As far as cattle are concerned, I can vouch for these symptoms having occurred. Under the heading "Murrain" in the Encyclopaedia Britannica will be found very interesting reading on the subject of blackleg. Also we find in the same book that all forms of anthrax (blackleg is one) can be readily conveyed to all animals by inoculation or through the digestive organs. iPasteur, I think, discovered the antidote successfully used in inoculating cattle. AVhy should not recourse be made to inoculation in dealing with the dreadful disease of infantile 'paralysis when' 1 it attacks onr young people? In conclusion, I notice that the Wellington doctor lamely suggests that the disease being almost, entirely confined to the country would occur from the flies carrying it from the farm manures! Surely tiie horrible filth Q.f cities and towns is more calculated tb'lireed "loathsome disease than the manures used 'in agriculture? The fact, however, that infnntile paralysis is admittedly so much more prevalent in the country is a strong link in connecting it with the cattle plague. I have already written to other papers 011 this subject, but the necessity of instantly considering the best steps to be taken in dealing .with this terrible epidemic, will be my apology in writing again. There is 110 telling when and where fresh attacks may take place.—l am, etc,, J. R. STEWART.