MODERN MEDICAL PRACTICE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 99, 21 January 1926, Page 6

MODERN MEDICAL PRACTICE

THE SUNLIGHT CURE RESEARCHES INTO CANCER CAUSATION “Dominion” Special. Auckland, January 20. A report on various aspects of the English hospital system and modern medical practice in Britain was presented to the Auckland Hospital Board last evening by the medical superintendent (Dr. C. Ji. Maguire), who visited Europe last year. Dealing with the subject of cancer, Dr. Maguire stated that Dr. Gye’s researches went to prove that the virus of cancer was a filter-passing germ, plus an accessory chemical factor, the nature jl which was at present not determined. This opened up a new avenue of investigation along the line that cancer was a parasitic disease. It was to be hoped that further research would bring us nearer and nearer to the time when the causation of cancer would be thoroughly understood, and when this fell disease would be under control. Much had vet to be done. It was, however, satisfactory to know that not only in Great Britain, but also in all civilised countries, scientists were working strenuously to arrive at a solution of this important problem. Exciting factors in the causation of cancer had been attributed to many sources, which had each in turn had its strenuous advocates. Chronic irritation by certain substances had been pioved to be an exciting cause. Articles of diet had frequently been blamed: the harmless tomato, for example, had come under the ban lately. It had been stated that it was possible that the increase of cancer was associated with a sunless condition of life.” ‘‘A good deal can be said in favour of the statement that errors in diet may be a potent exciting cause,” the report continued. “That a diet of too much meat maybe is supported by the fact that among native races who arc vegetarians cancer is almost unknown. Whatever the cause may be, it is a matter of commonsense that any habit or indulgence that tends to lower the body’s power of resistance would be a contributory factor and that the nearest approach to the simple life—a difficult matterin these days of flurry—would go far towards diminishing the risk of contracting this terrible disease. Therefore it is wise to preach a doctrine of moderation in all things.” Among other treatments noted by Dr. Maguire was the use made of sunlight, also light from artificial sources, in treating certain cases. At the Cripples’ Hospital and College at Alton. Hampshire, it had been found that certain patients appeared to tolerate light from artificial sources better than natural sunlight. It was of great benefit in some cases of tuberculosis of the. spine with' extensive abscess formation. Run in connection with Alton was a seaside branch at Hayling Island, about <lO miles away, where treatment by the strong ultra violet light was combined with seabaths. Marvellous results were being obtained at these two institutions.

An interesting fact reported at the Congress of the Royal Institute of Public Health, held at Brighton, was that sunlight, either natural _or artificial, when properly administered, might have a definitely beneficial effect on mental activity. It was found that children handicapped in school work by illness, when cured with the aid of sunlight, overtook and even outdistanced their classmates. The term “sunlit minds” had been used in those cases.