OFFERS LIFE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1929, Page 8

OFFERS LIFE

TO SAVE CHILDREN. WO.MAN’S RE.MAIMyA RLE LETTER. SYDNEY, A lay IG. A remarkable offer has been made by a Sydney woman in a letter addressed to Hie Minister 'for Health in New South Wales (Dr Arthur). She says Chat she is willing to be inoculated with the germs of infantile paralysis, so that serum can be obtained from her for the treatment of child ion who are suffering from this dread disease. Her oiler was no doubt prompted by the lact that there has been an increase in the number ol children who have been stricken by the disease, and increased difficulty in seen ring serum 'lrom wliicli such good results have been obtained in the past. “Why not inoculate me with the disease .in order to extract the serum” says this woman in her letter—a woman of Polish descent who has spent many years in Australia, and wlio seems anxious to do something useful for the country of her adop turn. “If I were to die” she says •surely it would lie worth while to the health and life of little children, i make this offer willingly, because I understand that the serum is the ouy cure, and it is unobtainable. I am wondering if this antitoxin can be artificially made. I have reared my family and I: am not needed at home i could be inoculated with the disease from some child. II i contracted it I could be treated, and the hospitals could get as much scrum from mo they cared to extract. Even it it incapacitated me for life, or killed me in the long run, the sacrifice would be worth while.” The woman told Dr. Arthur that she could never forget that Australia help ed to feed the starving people of her native Poland, and her mother’s country, Belgium, during the war. “In what oetter way.” She asked could I honour the National Day of Poland i,ban oy thus serving Australia and the country of my five children. I have not the means of paying lor such an illness, and 1 could not risk givinii to others at home. Therefore * wou.d have to be treated in a publis hospital 1 hope, doctor, you will help me t serve the tiny A mines by bringing Hi" sunshine of hope to the parents of r)u stricken children.” The writer of this amazing kP-’es is Known personally to Dr. Arthur. **- is not the first occiision she has deployed great interest in child we • 'or, as a member of the commit ee 1,1 the Sunshine Club, she has done a great deal in arranging seaside holidays for countless Australian youngsters. Dr. Arthur is convinced by h'knowledge of the women that the oiler is a perfectly genuine one, and IMas been gre-'i 'upicssed bj tic. spirit of sacrifice that permeates it. However an important principle is at stake, and be lias not rushed in and hurriedly accepted the offer. Put be lias not rejected it. He is giving the letter the most serious consideration and will be guided by expert medical advice in reaching a decision.