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Press, Volume LX, Issue 18129, 19 July 1924, Page 10

The ingenious application of the current from a wireless set to a surgeon's knife which burns its way through the tissues of the body has been success* fully carried out by Dr. L. E. Schmidt, of Chicago (states the "Daily Express"). This form of operation is practically bloodless, as the heat of the knife coagulates the blood. The knife,, which is about half the breadth of a lead pencil, and jesenfbling a knitting, needle, forms? one terminal The other is applied to the patient. The human tissue offers resistance to ; the passage of the current when.the knife is applied, and the resistance causes heat. Tlie knife burns itself through skin, fat, and muscle quickly and without pressure. The set is equipped with two 40-watt power valves and condensers. The current oscillates at tho rate of 40,000 cycles a second. The tension is 800 .volts at 450 milli-amperes. The heat developed is great enough to fuse brass. Dr. A. J. Woohinski, who assisted at the operation, says it can be used practically wherever the knife can. One advantage of this method, he adds, is that it prevents loss of blood, unless a large artery should be severed, and the patient is thus saved the usual shock that follows major operations The new instrument also makes possible' very delicate operations. The public meeting called for next Tuesday to consider - the Rivers' Conservancy Board Bill has been postponed till the 31sfc inst. This has been rendered necessary owing to the large amount of detail work to be done in drafting the Bill. Existing legislation has-had to be consulted and provisions applicable to Christchurch conditionshave been selected. Mr R. B. Owen, who has taken a prominent part in the agitation for the preservation of the otys rivers, told a reporter yesterday that the citizens were fortunate in having the services of the Mayor (Mr » A -- Mr A. F. Wright, the Hon. G. W. jßussell, and the Mayor of Sumner (Mr W. H. Nicholson) m the matter of drafting the Bill.