CURE FOR CANCER?

Evening Star, Issue 20586, 11 September 1930, Page 8

CURE FOR CANCER?

NEW ZEALANDER'S CLAIM MAN WILLING It MSN HIS LIFE So assured is one Aucklander that he knows a method of curing cancer that he is willing to contract this disease, confident that he will be able to cure himself (says the Auckland • Sun '). He is Mr Bernard Spencer, an accountant, who has made science his hobby for many years. The accidental discovery two years ago of an oil which can cure leprosy, for centuries regarded as an incurable disease, gave point to experiments on which Mr Spencer had been working since he returned from Germany after tho war. Tho recent report regarding a number of men released from Makogai Island, completely cured of leprosy, has convinced this experimenter that he is on.tho right track. The method of attacking cancer came to Mr Spencer in a most remarkable manner. After the war, in 1918, he met a Professor Otto Schmidt, in Germany, and, having an interest in science generally, followed his researches with great interest. Tho professor admitted him to his confidence, and Mr Spencer assisted during an experiment in connection with a guineapig in which such success was achieved that he is confident the key to a euro is within his grasp. The professor inoculated the animal with cancer. After three days, during which tho,usual signs of tho_ disease became apparent, another injection was prepared, this time from the leaves of a certain plant which grows in Germany. The spread of the cancerous growth was checked within a few hours. Under the surgeon’s knife it was found that the oil fluid extracted from the plant had formed a thin film around tho growth, and one .through which the disease could not penetrate. In time tho natural replacement of bodily tissues would have brought the growth away from tho body. PROFESSOR’S DEATH. Unfortunately, Mr Spencer recounts, further experiments were interrupted through the death of Professor Schmidt in the Dusseldorf riots of 1919. Mr Spencer returned to the dominion shortly afterward, having attempted in vainto have the work continued by the Berlin and the Paris Universities. He had been advised to try in New York, but discouraged by the reception given on the Continent decided to return to New Zealand and continue investigations for himself. In this aim he is inspired largely by a hope to associate the name of the dominion with the worldwide sensation tho announcement of a certain cure for cancer would cause. The plant used in Germany was one attacked by a cancerous growth, not unknown among many other species throughout tho world. Northern Queensland, for instance, has a similar plant, _ and there hare been several found in the dominion which have been attacked in the same way. Mr Spencer is not a botanist and has himself been unable to find the specimen he needs, although he is certain there are many close to Auckland. He is at present seeking tho co-operation of an analysing botanist to help in finding the necessary plant. Hp has been offered the nso of a laboratory in Auckland for further experiments. “ It is quite logical to suppose that herbs will yet prove the cure for the worst of diseases,” said Mr Spencer. “ Nearly every medicine has a herb as a base, and the good health of past generations was kept by the use of simple herbal remedies alone. If an oily plant extraction can cure leprosv, then it may well prove the specific for this other wasting disease.”