LOW GRADE CHLOROFORM.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 167, 16 July 1924, Page 5

LOW GRADE CHLOROFORM.

NO CAUSE FOR ANXIETY. (By Telegraph—Special to "Star.") DUNEDIN, Tuesday. Inquiries made regarding cheap grade chloroform disposes of any anxiety on the subject that may be felt so far as medical practice here is concerned. It is learned, on authority, that no lowgrade chloroform has come to the Dunedin Hospital or Medical School. As to private practitioners, their supplies are from proved sources that have been relied on for many years. Some of the medical men stick to a make of chloroform that they were trained to the use of when students. Three of these kinds are from the houses of Duncan Flockhart and Co.. Park, Davis and Co, and Burroughs, Welcome and Co. There is no risk of low grade stuff from any such firms. In one part of an Auckland - interview it was stated that sales of' chloroform in Xciv Zealand had fallen off. This, it is pointed out, is but a natural process, seeing that students are now largely taught the use of ether. However, ether is not a suitable anaesthetic in all cases, and it is still recognised by the faculty as of vital importance to have chloroform of the best. Nevertheless, there is use for low grade chloroform, as in veterinary practice. DENIAL BY DR. VALINTTNE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, DirectorGeneral of Health, in a statement in reply to charges made by Mr. H. 0. Smart, of Auckland, says the Department disclaims any responsibility for the disposal in New Zealand of chevp-, grade chloroform as the best quality. The Department itself, he says, uses only the best quality. The name Duncan and Flockart on a white label should itself be a guarantee of quality, said Dr. Valintine. "That is the grade that we used for anaesthetic purposes. Chloroform other than white label should not be used as an anaesthesia but only for medicinal purposes."