USE OF RADIUM

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 55, 29 November 1923, Page 9

USE OF RADIUM

NORTH CANTERBURY BOARD IS CAUTIOUS MEDICAL VIEWS DIFFER Qy Tsusgbaph—Pbess AssociationChristchurch, November 28. Deporting to the Hospital Board today the Finance Committee stated) that it had considered the question of the purchase of a radium supply for the Christchurch Hospital. The resolution passed by the board was as follows: —“That it be a recommendation to the Finance Committee to considor the question of organising an attonipt to raise—by voluntary efforts —the sum of £lO,OOO for the establishment of a radium department in conjunction with the Christchurch Hospital.” At the committee meeting, Dr. Fenwick had strongly urged that the board should take immediate action. Dr. Fox had expressed the opinion that tho board should depend for its radium upon Dunedin, and that it was hardly warranted in spending so large c. sum of money. Dr. Guthrie had said that he thought that satisfactory arrangements could be made with Dunedin 7 especially if Otago put in an emanation plant, or the Wellington centre, perhaps, might prove better. Ihe doctors were of opinion that Tadi y™ was not reliable for cancer of the severe type, although benefit was often derived in certain diseases of women, rodent ulcers, cancer of the lip, etc. Dr. Mac Gibbon had said that ho regarded radium ns only on its trial, and that the expenditure was unjusticommittee had carried, the following motion: —“That in view or the opinions expressed by a majority of members of the medical profession, this committee cannot recommend the board to make a public appeal for funds for the establishment of a radium centre in Christchurch, but would recommend the board to accept the invitation of the Otago Board to confer on this matter. Tho Hospital Committee reported that it had considered the question of <i supply of radium for the hospital, and in view of the decision arrived at by the special committee and the recommendation to the , board, ® committee was of opinion that the immediate needs or the hospital might be met by , cx P® ndlt l7® of the £5OO bequeathed by the late Miss Maude . Barrett and the subsidy on it. This would give s JKcient to purchase radium for dealing with certain classes of dmea.se. Tho Hon. R. Moore. M.L.C., asked that the question of radium should be hHd over until after the conference with members of the Otago Board. This suggestion was adopted. It was aiso agreed that the Finance Committee should be empowered to spend the money left by the late Miss Maude Barrett on the purchase of appliances for radium treatment. Dr Fenwick: We ought to do that. People keep on dying of cancer while we Veep on talking.