Reduction of Incidence and Severity of Paralysis Cases
Sleaford Gazette, August 18th 1950.
Reduction of Incidence and Severity of Paraylsis Cases
While two deaths from Infantile Paraylsis have occured in the past week, the incidence of the disease in this area is on the downgrade. Outstanding event of the week was the operation against the local fly population at Cranwell, Ruskington and Digby.
Both patients who have died have been young boys. Mark Chell of Cranwell Village who was seven, died at Broadstairs, Kent where he had been on holiday. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Chell.
Mark Reding of Rowston, Died in Lincoln Isolation Hospital at the age of 4 on Sunday. He had been admitted two days earlier.
For the first time in this Country, a method known as TIFA was used in the fight against Infantile Paralysis at Cranwell on Tuesday and Digby on Wednesday. TIFA stands for Todd Insecticidal Fog Applicator,
The cinema at Cranwell was treated in 12 minutes, being filled with hot fog at the rate of 1,500 cubic feet per minute. By a regulator on the machine it is possible to select a different size of fog globule, appropriate to the task.
At Cranwell many local health officials gathered to watch the village pond being treated, and then houses where live Mr. Earnest Whittaker and Mr. and Mrs. Chells were treated with hot fog.
On Wednesday, the machine visited Ruskington and the Council refuse tip behind the Lincolnshire Bacon Factory was treated. The ancient Saxon church of Thomas-a-Beckett was one of the buildings treated in Digby, and others were the Chapel, the School and the Village Hall, while the Beck and sewers were also treated.
At all points the greatest co-operation was experienced on the part of householders and property owners.
It was stated yesterday that there are now 34 cases from East Kesteven Rural District.
Sleaford girl in hospital has still not been confirmed as suffering from Infantile Paralysis.
A decline in infantile paralysis outbreak was reported in a statement issued by, Dr. J. W. Scholey, Medical Officer of Health, yesterday, ( Thursday ).
“A smaller number of cases has been reported this week and what there are seem, on the whole, to be of the less severe type “ he said.
“ certain places of entertainment etc. have been closed purely as a precautionary measure and these will be reopened as soon as the epidemic has subsided. The public are asked to cooperate as fully as possible and to carry out the advice of the Medical Authorities even if this means having to suffer personal inconveniences.
Once again it is emphasised that people should avoid crowded places; avoid undue fatigue or exertion. Adhere to strict rules of personal hygiene and cleanliness and in particular ensure that they wash their hands after going to the lavatory and before eating food.
“In the event of a sore throat, temperature and pains in the limbs or body they should consult their Doctor.
“If these precautions are adhered to there is every reason to hope that the infection will soon subside.
“I am also pleased to say that a full investigation of the Digby water supply has proved this to be completely satisfactory”.
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