“INSULIN” ON A LARGE SCALE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 78, 16 March 1923, Page 5

“INSULIN” ON A LARGE SCALE.

NEW EXTRACTION METHODS. Efforts are being made by the British Research Council to expedite in every way possible the manufacture on a large scale or the new remedy “insulin” which has proved so successful in the treatment of diabetes. It has now been found possible to prepare active insulin by extracting from the pancreas of an animal slaughtered in the ordinary way, so that this substance has become more readily available. But the process of extraction is exceedingly difficult and technical. Thus, unless the most meticulous care is exercised, the final produce may be inert or, on the other hand, may be dangerous. In the circumstances there can be no reasonable doubt that the Medical Research Council has deserved well of the public by the measures which it has taken. Incidentally, thanks to the intensive work proceeding in its laboratories, the insulin-yield per pancreas (or “sweetbread”) has been greatly increased—a matter of supreme importance when the smallness of this gland and the fact that each animal possesses only one are taken into consideration.

The story of the discovery of “insulin” appears to be a romance of science of the most fascinating kind. Dr. Banting, to whom belongs the credit, was a combatant officer who was wounded in the war. He was discharged and completed his medical studies. Thereafter he proposed to settle in practice and had, it is said, actually bought a practice, house, and furniture, when the idea for the treatment of diabetes struck him. So compelling was it that he determined to sacrifice everything to it. Practice, house, furniture, everything, was disposed of and he went to the laboratory in Toronto where his discovery was made. He was then in his early twenties. There were vast obstacles in the way and many difficult techniques had to be mastered. Yet the young doctor surmounted all troubles and carried his idea to a successful conclusion. That he received great kindness and help from many others in no wise detracts from the credit of a remarkable performance.