NO SPAHLINGER SERUM.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17769, 22 May 1923, Page 6

NO SPAHLINGER SERUM.

TESTS HELD UP. General Sir Frederick Maurice is organising privately a number of philanthropists who will probably issue a public appeal for funds to enable Dr. Henri Spahlinger, the young Swiss doctor, to continue his research work, and to provide Spahlinger serum for the treatment of tuberculosis.

"The Ministry.of Health are anxious to test the new serum," said an official to a London "Daily Express" representative recently/" but up to the present we have not been able to obtain 'a spoonful. "Dr. Spahlinger has spent all his private funds and those of his father in producing the serum. It is Baid that he has not accepted a penny of remuneration for his services or for out-of-pocket expenses, and now he is unable, for lack of funds, to provide serum for independent tests." Many medical men who have made private- investigations have returned convinced of the value of the Berum. Tho profession generally, however, is not satisfied on certain points. "Good results in, say, Mentone may not mean good results in the English climate," said a medical authority. "We-should like further enlightenment oh certain points, such as: How are tho remedies prepared? How are they standardised? How many cases have-been treated? At what clinical stage? ~

How long observed? How many are now '.well,' 'improved,' | stationary,' 'worse,' dead'?" These queries can be cleared up only by independent investigation. Tho : Health Ministry are quite ready to carry out-further investigation, but they cannot do so until they receive a supply of the serum. Uutil Dr. Spahlinger receives further monetary support, England will not have an opportunity of testing theserum, and thousands of tuberculosis patients must continue to suffer from the ravages of the disease.