MEDICAL PROBLEMS

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3719, 16 November 1926, Page 7

MEDICAL PROBLEMS

VIEWS OF A BRITISH AUTHORITY REPORT OF SIR GEORGE HEWMAH ; - The annual report of Sir George Newman, Chief Medical Officer of the British Ministry of health, is generally regarded by the medical profession as being a sound exposition of the progress of medical science up to the time of writing. Following are some extracts from his report just to hand:—

Prevention of Diphtheria.—For several years careful observation has been made of the use of Schick test and of immunisation against diphtheria with toxin-antitoxin mixture, toxoid, an! latterly toxoid-antitoxin mixture. As a result of improvement in material and technique this method of prevention has now passed beyond the expen mental stage, and ;s widely regarded as the best way of protecting against this disease.

Influenza,—Advice is frequently sought as to the best method of preventing recurrent attacks of influenza in the individual. Unfortunately, in the present state of our knowledge, medical prophylactics is unreliable. Vaccines have been tried without success. Throat gargling and nose-washing have been recommended, but the experience of recent years tends rather to discredit these measures, particularly the latter, as liable to spread the infection to the ear and nasal sinuses although this risk may easily bo exaggerated. Speaking generally, the sensible course is to pursue a regular healthy life, avoiding excesses of all kinds, and taking as much outdoor exercise as circumstances will permit. Persons attacked should seek medical advice at once, with a view to - e prevention of pulmonary and other complications or the conveyance of infection to others.

Cancer.—ln the chapter on cancer Sir George Newman quotes the following words of Dr Gye with respect to the recent important research work of Dr Gye and Mr Barnard: “These researches have led mo to look upon cancer—using the term in its widest sense —as a specific disease caused by a virus (or group of viruses). Under experimental conditions the virus alone is ineffective; a second specific factor, obtained from tumor extracts, ruptures the cell defences and enables the virus to infect. Under natural conditions continued irritation of tissu'es sets up a state under which infection can occur. , . . The virus probably

lives and multiplies in the cell, and provokes the cell to continued multiplication.” Neither of these factors acting separately can, it is believed, give rise to cancer. Commenting on these statements of Dr Gye, Sir George Newman says; “Assuming these observations to be fully substantiated by repetition and extension of experimental inquiry, they still constitute but a stage in the vast field of research which will need exploration before an effective weapon for the prevention of the disease can be said to have been forged. Research carried out bj- Dr T. Lumsden in the laboratories of the Lister Institute approaches the subject from a different angle, that of treatment. The design k to effect the destruction of cancer by means of an immune serum. Another therapeutic research is that of Professor Blair Bell and his co-workers at the University of Liverpool; In this instance the basis of treatment comprises the injection of certain compounds of lead, which are claimed to have selective ac-

tion on new growths. ... To sum up, early diagnosis and early operative treatment are our principal weapons against cancer. For inoperable conditions treatment by X-rays and radium is being attentively studied and investigated. PROFESSOR CALMET TE’S CLAIM. Tuberculosis. —Sir George Newman refers to the Spahlinger treatment as follows: —“In 1922 a medical officer of the Ministry of Health visited M. Spahlinger’s laboratory at Geneva and examined a number of cases of tuberculosis which had been treated with complete sera and vaccines. He reported that from the clinical aspect a pnma facie case appeared to be made out for. further investigation. Accordingly M. Spahlinger was unofficially approached on the subject of arrangements for an immediate special investigation of the method of treatment by the Ministry ot Health. Unfortunately he was unable at that time to provide material for the purpose of a scientific investigation, even of a limited character. into the clinical efficiency of his preparations. It is understood that M. Spahlinger is still proceeding with his investigations for the purpose of preparing supplies of the complete sera and vaccines, but at present no fixed date can be assigned at which they will be available. The Minister has ottered to have a trial made of M. Suahlinger’s preparations in this countrv as soon as sufficient material has been prepared for the purposes of an investigation.” Sir George Newman states that during the past year particulars of numerous preparations ior the cure of tuberculosis have been examined by the medical staff of the Ministry of Health. “ While all claims of this' character,” he adds, “ receive 9areful attention, they arc as a rule either a revival of various recognised remedies which have been tried in the treatment of tuberculosis for many years, or are found to be of _no therapeutic value.” Referring to immunisation by Professor Calmette’s method, Sir George Newman remarks; “In various communicatioins from 1924 onwards Professor Calmette (of Paris) and his colleagues record particulars of their essays in immunication against the infection of tuberculosis. Their researches have been pursued uninterruptedly for twenty years. . . . Professor Calmette and his colleagues consider the immunity to tuberculosis produced by their vaccine comparable with the immunity produced by Janneriau or by anti-rabic vaccination; in other words, it is true immunity. Experiments in the immunisation of young children aro described, and it is claimed that tho method effects a considerable reduction in mortality. Tho evidence is that the immunity endures as Ion" as tho bacilli of the vaccine survive; this is probably about a year, after which it may he necessary to repeat the administration of the vaccine. Professor Calmette’s method is now being adopted in a number of countries both in Europe and in Africa. The progress of this work is being watched by tho Ministry of Health with interest, and an experimental inquiry into the subject is being made by the Committee on the Bacteriology of Tuberculosis of the Medical Research Council.”