FIGHTING DISEASE

Evening Star, Issue 19712, 12 November 1927, Page 19

FIGHTING DISEASE

PROSRESS MADE ABROAD THE TREATMENT OF CANCER The progress made abroad in the campaign against disease was described by Dr J. Allan Berry, medical supcriJtcn-. dent of the Napier Hospital, who returned by the Niagara, this week after a nine mouths' t-uur of England, tho Continent, and America. “America has not produced a single new idea that can compare with the many notable discoveries by British and Continental .scientists.” .said Dr Berry to an Auckland ‘Herald’ reporter. “ Before .1 went to America I visited tho principal hospitals of Britain, Scotland, Franco, Denmark, Germany, and other Continental countries. From what 1 saw of the foreign work, I felt the 'more convinced that London, so far as medical and surgical work is concerned, still Holds first place, and many of the English provincial schools havo also very high standards. Edinburgh particularly is doing magnificent work, and tho now generation of physicians and surgeons is well maintaining the splendid traditions of tho past. “The Liverpool infirmary is claiming remarkable cures in the treatment of inoperable and apparently hopeless eases of cancer with Bell’s colloidal lead preparations. The success attending Liverpool’s efforts is gaining attention overseas, for at least one speaker at the recent American Medical Association’s conference spoke strongly in favor of Boll’s treatment, adducing a remarkable series of apparent cores. From what, I saw - of the research work which is being done in England and other countries. I believe it looks as if a cure for cancer is just around the corner. “ Tremendous interest is being taken in the work of Gyo and Barnard, who claim that an ultra-microscopic virus with an accessory factor is the causative agent of cane?”, Gyc accepted rcscntly tho challenge of a research insti-tute-in Boston to repeat his startling experiments before' the institute in its laboratories. In preventive medicine Britain undoubtedly leads the world. Sir R. Philip, the president of the British Medical Association, recently summarised the position when he said: ‘ I nra content for the moment to underline what I believe to be unchallengeable—that Britain possesses the amplest machinery found anywhere for flic prevention of disease— machinery which. liv reason of its completeness Irom centre to periphery, and its uniformity of operation, is justly the envy of the world.' “The high standard of the Danish hospitals, tho quality, high order, and originality of the research projects, impressed mo most of all during my visit to most of the Continental scientific centres. Denmark, with the finesteducational systein in the world, giving compulsory education to children up to the age ot' 18 years, is producing n magnificent and industrious race. I found that Germany and Austria are still suffering post-war depression. “What I think will be of interest to tuberculosis sufferers in Now Zealand was my visit to Spahlinger’s clinic in Switzerland, where he allowed inn to make an exhaustive inspection of his laboratory methods and examine some of his patients. I was especially interested in a New Zealander who is receiving treatment at Spahlinger’s harms, and who Ims been quoted in New Zealand as an example of the efficacy oi Spahlinger’s treatment. Tin's patient, whom I examined, gives at present no clinical signs of active tuberculosis. He has received a five years’ course of Spahlinger’s vaccines, sera, and ‘enzymes,’ but in my opinion this patient’s improvement was largely Influenced by the excellent medical and educative treatment he received at the Puhsora Sanatorium in Hawke’s Bay before he went ta Switzerland. Since be lias been in Switzerland this New Zealand sufferer lias left Geneva each winter for t!m warmer climes of Nice or Egypt. This change in climate each year, along with, the patient’s realisation of the value of the continuation of the Pukeora treatment, has probably brought about his improvement.” “ Opinion is divided as to the value of Spahlingcr’s claims,” concluded Dr Berry, “and among Swiss scientists he is unhesitatingly denounced. AA hether there is anything in his treatment it is impossible to say. His cases are not scientifically controlled, his treatment still remains a secret ._ and in my opinion his claims to havo discovered a -specific cure for pulmanary and surgical tuberculosis will soon bo completely forgotten.”