WHEN DOCTORS DISAGREE

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1929, Page 4

WHEN DOCTORS DISAGREE

When doctors disagree, who is to decide? This problem has once more presented itself, for the British Medi cal Research Council is reported to have condemned artificial sunlight in the treatment of disease, whereas the public has been led to believe —and 1 the belief is strengthened by the use 1 of ‘ ‘ rays ’ ’ in connection with the . King’s illness —that this - scientific, disi covery is possessed of quite definite curative properties. It is disconcerting to be told that London hospitals have spent thousands of pounds on artificial light installation when a supply of mustard plasters and cod liver , oil would have had the same effect. The statements made by the Medical Research Council have very naturally provoked strong protest by other sections of the world of medicine, and doctors are asked whether they will

“stand by and see themselves made 1 the laughing stock of the world." One authority, Dr. O’Donovan, of the light department of the London Hospital, describes the council's reference to cod liver oil as “a resurrection of one of the most ancient superstitions of medicine," and says “it is an impertinence for any one to say the hospitals should be called upon to justify their expenditure of money on light treatment, since it developed from daily observation of its merits and cures as emphatically demonstrated in types of cases which previously

were not cured." Dr. Alfred Cox, medical secretary to the British Medical Association, is probably near the mark when he says “the whole subject is at present in the experimental and research stage," and, like many another good thing, “has unfortunately been unduly boomed from quarters which are incompetent to speak with any pretence of authority.” A controversy may be expected to rage around the divergent views expressed by medical men, and the public will

be puzzled and perplexed. One highly placed official in 'the Dominion Health Department will perhaps expect a retraction of some of the harsh things said about him when he refused to acquiesce in a proposal to construct a solarium at a metropolitan hospital, though he probably will freely admit there is a very real difference, between actual sunshine and artificial rays, no matter how closely they may resemble each other. ; : . j! :