TREATING WOUNDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24749, 24 November 1943, Page 5

TREATING WOUNDS

GREAT IMPROVEMENT USE OF NEW DRUGS The extraordinary difference made in the treatment of war wounds by the use of blood plasma and sulfa drugs is emphasised in an article which has been sent to New Zealand by the United States Navy Department. "Most of the 14,014 United States soldiers, sailors and Marines who died of wounds in the last war," it says, "might have lived if the use of plasma had been possible and if the sulfonamides and tetanus toxoid had been discovered. The great dangers from wounds have always been shock, haemorrhage, infection and delay. Science and organisation have virtually conquered all four. "At Pearl Harbour most of the wounded received hospital treatment within a few hours, hence it is not surprising that the number of infections was low. In spite of many severe burns mortality was kept below 3 per cent. At Guadalcanar the rate went down to 1 per cent and although at o<"an some of the American wounded were not found for several days only 0.5 per cent of the cases that reached hospitals died of infection. Of 4039 casualties on a hospital ship in the South-West Pacific only seven died, or less than 0.2 per cent." / Promising New Drug The department mentions that a new drug, penicillin, although not yet available for mass use, is potentially revolutionary. It is obtained in minute quantities from fungus mould and is many times more powerful than the sulfa drugs and is less toxic. Experiment* showed such brilliant promise that doctors were almost afraid to believe in them, but recent trials in hospitals have added proof to the promise and it is hoped that the drug will soon go into quantity production. "There is. as yet. no drug that prevents malaria," adds the department's article, "but hopeful experiments arc being carried out with the sulfonamides. But malaria can be suppressed and, once it reaches the clinical stage, cured."

Wounds of the abdomen, which In the last war caused death to 70 to 80 per cent of the patients who survived long enough to get to hospitals, now have a mortality rate of only .5 per cent. Low Invalidity Percentage In the last war for every 1000 men of the United States Navy and Marine Corps who were wounded there were 70 deaths. Between December 7, 1941, and March 31 last this figure had fallen to 26 deaths. As at the same Sate 53 per cent of all Navy and Marine Corps wounded for whom reports had been received had been restored to duty, with 43.5 per cent still undergoing treatment. It had been necessary to invalid from the service less than 1 per cent.

CRICKET SEASON REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES The management committee of the Auckland Cricket Association had before it last evening counter-proposals to its scheme for representative matches. These were from the Canterbury Association and suggested that the following matches should be played at Christmas time:—Auckland v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. Otago v. Wellington, at Wellington. while at New Year Wellington v. Canterbury, at Christchurch, and Auckland v. Otago, at Dunedin, could be played. The proposals also provided for Canterbury playing Otago at Dunedin, and Auckland playing Wellington at Auckland in February. The chairman, Mr. W. R. Fee, oointed out that these counter-proposals again appeared to favour Canterbury, which would have two games at home, while the third would require only a small amount of travelling. It was agreed to write to Wellington stating that Auckland was in favour of playing Wellington at Auckland in February as the return match for the Auckland-Wellington fixture at Wellington at Christmas. Letters received from the Otago and Wellington associations were in favour of Auckland's proposals, but Otago pointed out that the Basin Reserve was otherwise occupied at New Year and i'- would not be possible to play Wellington. The junior advisory board reported favourably upon a proposal from Wellington that Brabin ('up matches should be resumed. It suggested that such a fixture be arranged in February when the Wellington representatives would be visiting Auckland. The Waikato Association asked for a visit from a club side during the holiday period and it was agreed to leave the matter in the hands of the club delegates. The umpires' delegate asked for a direction in concluding a match in which he alleged time was wasted after the match had been decided on the first innings. He quoted a case where only 14 runs had been scored in three-quarters of an hour. The chairman expressed the opinion that it was the duty of the captain to see that bright cricket was played, particularly under the circumstances quoted A 'equest by the Auckland Ex-Servicemen's Association for a representative match during the holidays was received, and it was agreed to refer the request to the junior advisory committee. Following are the fixtures for next Saturday:— Firgt Grqde.—Eden-Ponsonhy-Balmoral v. North Shore, Eden Park No. 2, Messrs. O. R. Montgomery, J. C. Harris; Parnell v. Grafton-Y.M:C.A.. Eden Park No. 1, Messrs. R W. Mitchell. F. J. Rushton; Parnell Colts v. Middlemore-University. Eden Park No. 3, Messrs. D. V. Moore. W. G. Tucker. Senior B Grade.—Marist v. Eden-Ponsonby-Balmoral, North Shore Training College v. North Shore, North Shore, Messrs. R. SHart,»L. Cullen; Y.M.C.A. v. Grafton. Papatoetoe. Messrs. G. Webber, H. S. Saunderson; Parnell v. University, Eden No. 4, Messrs. A. Anderson, H. Nevin; R.N.Z.A.F. v. Marist Athletic, Walker Park. NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL The annual meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Cricket Council will be held in Christchurch on Friday next. The annua! report makes mention of the performance of T. L. Pritchard in taking all 10 wickets in one innings for Central Military District against Northern Military District last season The management committee has in view the arranging of a North versus South Island match this season. The fact that Lieutenant D. A. R. Moloney had died of wounds while a prisoner of war is recorded with regret. Moloney was a former Otago, Wellington and New Zealand representative. Other deaths recorded during the past year are:—P.. .T. Tuckwell, Otago and New Zealand representative; C. B. Finlayson, Wellington. Auckland and New Zealand representative; arid H. E. Lawrence, delegate to the council, representing Xorth Otago from 1001 to "inos. and South Canterbury from lonfi to 1913. Reference is made to the distinction gained by Captain W. N. Carson, who was awarded Ihe Military Cross for services in the Middle j East. £ |

FLOODLIGHT MEETINGS

ACTION BY OTAHUHU CLUB The possibility of restoring the pre-war practice of holding athletic meetings in Sturges Park under floodlight at night time was discussed at the Otahuhu Borough Council meeting this week, when a deputation from the local amateur athletic club waited on the council. The club was one of the bodies which pioneered floodlit athletic meetings in the Auckland district. The president, Mr. J Clark, said the lights and the standards had been removed and it was desired that the council restore them. The club had been advised that electric power would be available. It had no ready funds, but would undertake, as in the past, to make donations to the council toward the expenditure incurred. The borough engineer had estimated the cost of restoration would amount to £75. stated the Mayor, Mr. CI. R. Petrie. M P. He acknowledged that the club and other sports bodies had' liquidated all the initial costs of installation. On the motion of the Mayor a committee was appointed with power to act in the matter.

PIGEON RACING

Onehunga Club.—Race from Christchurch, 173 miles: G. Martin's No. 577, Jol2.oyds I; F. Whitley's No. 1012.2yd5, 2; T Kemp's Determined, 1012.1 yds, 3. From Pal merston. I'll miles, send four, clock two: T. Kemp's team. 1252 yds, 1; G. Martin's team, 121!tyds, 2; F. Whitley's team, 1214 yds. 3. One-bird special prize: R. Hanson.

SNOOKER TOURNEY

Open Championship.—Matches last evening resulted: —A. Gates beat N. Moller, 55—21, (><;—ls; W. Rundle beat S. August. 72 —41. 35—08, 85—22; J. Shepherd beat A. North, 32—70. 71 —28, 73—11. Games for to-night: 7.30, W. Thompson v. A. Cates; 8.30. B McKenzie v. L. Revel!.