Arteries Studied By Pathologist

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30760, 26 May 1965, Page 5

Arteries Studied By Pathologist

Arteries from Melanesians in the Rabaul district of New Britain are being compared with those from young Sydney persons in a study of the relative incidence of atheroma (arterial degeneration) among the two groups by Professor F. R. Magarey, of the department of pathology at the University of Sydney.

Professor Magarey is one of four members of the board of censors of the College of Pathologists of Australia who were in Christchurch yesterday interviewing New Zealand candidates for admission to the college. He is chairman of the college. Professor Magarey has been interested in atheroma for about 20 years, and has done a good deal of work on the development of it in animals, especially sheep. The Rabaul project was suggested to him by a pathologist in practice there, a Dr. Karicks. Dr. Karicks sent him 60 aortas (main arteries) from Rabaul Melanesians and offered more. Professor Magarey thereupon began collecting aortas from Sydneysiders who were killed accidentally or whose deaths were not known to be connected with atheroma. The investigation has not yet reached the stage where he can state results. Comparisons in arterial degeneration had been carried out as between persons of European and American Indian descent in the United States, and between persons of various races in South Africa, but as far as he knew this was the first comparison between Europeans and South Pacific peoples in this respect, said the professor.

New Britain natives, were reputed to be free of atheroma, but this remained to be proved. Professor Magarey has not so far visited Rabaul, but hopes to do so in the near future. Here For The First Time The chairman of the board of censors (Dr. J. P. O’Brien, a pathologist in private practice in Sydney) said this was the first time his college had sent a group of censors (examiners) to New Zealand. About 30 New Zealand pathologists had applied for membership. “We are flattered that so many are willing to take part in our activities,” he said. He thought both Australia and New Zealand would benefit from the association.

Asked if any pass list would be issued after the examination, Dr. O’Brien said the examining board could only make recommendations, which -'■would be considered by the council of the college when it met in August. The other two visiting members of the board are Dr. R. J. Elvy, a haematologist in private practice in Sydney, and Dr. C. Baird, a biochemist from the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The four censors were entertained at luncheon yesterday with executive members of the New Zealand Society of Pathologists by the North Canterbury Hospital Board. The board’s chairman (Dr. L. C. L. Averill) and director of pathology (Dr. D. T. Stewart) welcomed them and Professor Magarey replied. Afterwards both groups of pathologists left for Hanmer Springs for a meeting of the New Zealand society which will open there this morning.