ASTHMA RESEARCH

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 127, 3 June 1929, Page 3

ASTHMA RESEARCH

AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN

FIFTY THOUSAND WANTED

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON,. 16th April.

An Asthma Research Council is now in being, and carrying on a campaign for the scientific investigation of asthma, hay fever, eczema, migraine, and allied diseases. The fojlowing letter giving an account of the progress made has been issued by Lord Dufferin and Ava (president), Lord Greenway (chairman), the Eev. H. E. L. Sheppard, Sir Albert Stern, and Mr. Ben Tillett (members of the committee): — At Guy's Hospital a team, including a clinician, biochemist, bacteriologist, immunologist, rhinologist, psychologist, and radiologist, is already at work. Hero a number of patients are being subjected to an exhaustive investigation, which has already disclosed a constant deficiency of certain elements in the blood, the correction of which it is hoped may relieve or even permanently cure the, condition. Equally promising is the work now being undertaken at the' newly-formed clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital' for Sick Children, where asthma is being attacked at its simplest and most curable stage. The association of asthma with cyclic vomiting, epilepsy, migraine, and skin disease is being investigated at this centre. At the London Clinic, Eanelagh road, S."W., physical methods of treatment, including medicated inhalations, ultra-violet rediation, diathermy, and breathing exercises, are being carefully investigated by a physician, who has visited the principal asthma spas on the Continent, including Mont Dore, Bad Eeichcnhall, and Ems. MANY EESEAECH CENTRES. It is proposed to give a grant to St. Mary's Hospital, where active research on asthma has been carried out for the past 18 years. It is also proposed to appoint a research worker at King's College, London University, to study tho experimental production of asthma and the effects of drugs which relieve the paroxysm. At Brompton Hospital arrangements are being made to investigate respiratory diseases. A grant is also required by the London Hospital for examining the effects of X-ray therapy, of which encouraging reports have been made. So keen is the national desire to forward this work that a number of institutions in the provinces have agreed to provide research facilities as soon as the necessary funds permit. These include: Bristol University, Sheffield University, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, Manchester Eoyal Infirmary, Birmingham General Hospital, Liverpool Eoyal Infirmary, Leeds General Infirmary, Bristol Eoyal Infirmary, and the Eoyal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. An interesting feature of the campaign is the appeal which is being made to asthmatic sufferers to co-operate. All sufferers and the parents of all'children suffering from asthma in Great Britain and the Overseas Dominions are being invited to assist the campaign not only by subscribing, but by filling in family history forms which, it is hoped, will give valuable information as to the influence of heredity in asthma and its allied disorders. A report of progress will be published annually and will be supplied to subscribers and the Press. The estimated cost of the campaign is £50,000, of which approximately £5200 has already been received in gifts and promises. This is a work of such great national importanco that the comparatively small sum required to secure its fulfilment should be readily forthcoming. We earnestly hope that every sufferer from asthma, hay-fever, eczema, and migraine who has not already sent a donation will do so without delay, and that the campaign will also receive the support of all persons of public spirit. Donations should be sent to Sir Albert Stern, K.8.E., C.M.G., hem. treasurer, Asthma Research Council, London Clinic, Eanelagh road, 5.W.1., and applications for the family history form, should be made to the secretary a! tb« tame address. j