DOCTORS DISAGREE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21085, 9 February 1934, Page 4

DOCTORS DISAGREE

♦ EITKCTS OF SEDATIVE DRUGS •.IKOK Ur It tOBHKSPOKIIEHI LONDON. January 2. A dillerence o" opinion among eminent medical men is revealed in the current number of the "British .Medical Journal.'' At a recent meeting a discussion took place on the uses and dangers of various drug's; used to promote slue]). Sir William Willcox. an authority on diseases of the stomach, toxicology, and the treatment of diabetes, said tliat the barbituric drugs were popular because they were very certain, acted quickly, and had few unpleasant after-effects. But, he added, they acted on the nervous system, might produce facial or visual paralysis and speech defects, were undoubtedly responsible for habit formation, and tended to predispose the patient towards suicide.

Dr. R. D. Gillipspic said there was no foundation for Sir William Willcox's assertion that the repeated administration of the barbiturates in one or more daily therapeutic doses was dangerous. The allegation that they produced suicidal tendencies was contradicted, he added, by a study of suicide statistics. During 1931—the latest year for which figures were available—there were 5147 recorded deaths from suicide in this country, and in only 13 of them were the barbiturates the means employed. They stood, in fact, eighth on the list of poisons taken by suicides, and he defied anyone to say that they had influenced the suicide rate. An Astounding Statement. Sir Maurice Craig said it was almost incredible that two physicians, both practising in London, like Sir William Willcox and Dr. Gillespie, could have had such widely different experiences with these drugs as appeared to be the case. As Sir William did not himself prescribe the barbituric acid group, his opinion could have no great value.

ft, was, he continued, an astounding statement by Sir William Willcox that those who took sedative drugs were prone to commit suicide. That must be untrue, otherwise the newspapers would bo full of reports of inquests into deaths from this cause. Sir William Willcox's reply was to complain bitterly of the serious warnings he had utteied being ridiculed by Dr. Gillespie. He himself had, he said, spoken from sad experience, and both Dr. Gilliespie and Sir Maurice Craig had failed to realise the dangers. ADULT EDUCATION ♦ Tiie executive of the Canterbury District Counc'l of the Workers' Educational Association, at a meeting on Tuesday ' night, over which Mr S. Schoficld presided, discussed a number of suggestions for the coming session. These included a series of public lectures, broadcast lectures, and lectures at the penal institution at I'apurua, and classes. It was decided to recommend the district council that the session be opened officially on Saturday, April 7. (iini/S TENNIS SHORTS A LITTLE TOO DARING. There was really nothing wrong with turning out in.snappy shorts and an abbreviated back for a game of tennis. Everyone agreed she looked very smart, but she went a little too far. After playing a strenuous afternoon's ternis she stayed till late in the evening to see the finals played off, sitting about in her scanty attire, regardless of the danger of catching a chill. That is where she made her mistake. A heavy cold was the price she paid for her over-keenness. However, this young lady was equal to the occasion, and put things right with a few doses of Baxter's Lung Preserver, which Mother was able to supply. She learned a lesson that chills cannot be ignored, even in summer time, and also further emphasised the necessity for having Baxter's Lung Preserver in the house.

Time out of number "Baxter's" saves people from spending work days, holidays, and week-ends laid up with colds. "Baxter's" gives quickest and surest relief, and clears colds completely out of the system. Any kind of cough, sore throat, huskiness, tightness on the chest, and all bronchial afflictions yield to a few doses of this splendid remedy, which also possesses marvellous tonic properties. A generous size bottle of "Baxter's" can be obtained for 2s 6d at any chemist or store. Extra large family size 4s 6d, and pocket size Is Cd. —2