TUBERCULOSIS CURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18952, 28 August 1923, Page 7

TUBERCULOSIS CURE.

THE SPAHLINGER METHODS OPINIONS OF MEDICAL MEN. NEW ASPECT PRESENTED. ufBOM UUS OWN CORRESPONDENT.) AUCKLAND. August 27. An entirely new lignt ,has been thrown on the claims made on behalf of the SpahImgcr method as a cure for tuberculosis by the opinion of Sir Robert Phillip, os quoted by the, Department of Health m a circular issued to Hospital Boards, tiimilarly, the aspect has been altered by the views expressed by Dr W. Camao Wilkinson, a noted specialist, who passed through Auckland on the Niagara, en route to Sydney on Friday 'the opinions ot Ur Wilkinson were brought under the notice o£ a number ot Auckland medical men, who, while willing to discuss the matter, made it clear that being so far irom the scene of operations, the information on wtuen they based their deductions could only bo regarded as second-hand; Dr C. E. Maguire, medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, said he considered the opinion of such u well-known authority as Dr Oamao Wilkinson very valuable, and judging from the correspondence which the Health Department had had with Professor Spahlinger, he thought that what Dr Wilkinson had said on the subject was quite true. Apparently Professor Spahlinger had not given the medical profession a chance of properly testing his vaccine, and his statements would have to be taken with u good deal of reserve. Dr Maguire added that the medical profession was hoping for very much more from the experiments which wore being carried out at Oxford by Professor Droyer, who was aiming at the production of a vaccine or serum, which would have a great effect on the treatment of tuberculosis. The Health De partment was keeping ip touch with this work through the Hifeh Commissioner, and it was hoped that reports as to efficacy of the method would soon be to hand. As Dr Wilkinson had pointed out it was necessary to keep cases under observation for considerable periods before it was possible to say that any treatment of the kind was good. “As far as I enn make out,” said Dr Maguire, “Professor Spahlinger, "not being a medical man, is not able to follow up his oases, and his method has not been in existence long enough to prove its value. It seems to mo that it is unfair for a scientific man to raise the hopes of sufferers, as well us being unwise to publish so much, when the method has not been proved under satisfactory tests.” Mr Kenneth Mackenzie, to whom the matter was referred, appeared cautious about accepting the statement of the efficacy of the Bpahlinger metnoa. He zaia he could not help thinking that if the treatment had proved all that was claimed for it, ■jpalitinger's own Government would have assisted him rnd officially taken the treatment under its wing. The treatment of tuberculosis was almost a national industry. In Switzerland many specialists were employed in attending to the needs of thousands, of patients who visited Switzerland vrmually, and it was essential to the Swiss people that they should retain, ascendency in the treatment of tuberculosis. The Swiss uoyernment must have gone thoroughly into the matter in the interests of the nation, yet it had . apparently witliheld its assistance. If, therelore, Professor Spahlinger was unable to convince those nearest anti most likely to bo acquainted with his work, it could not bo expected that New Zealanders should be anything but sceptical. ,Mr Mackenzie added that, though speaking without knowledge of the process, he was very much afraid that Professor Spahlinger, like many other discoverers, had allowed himseli to be earned away by his enthusiasm.

“in.- Uamao Wilkinson is very well known in connection with the study ol this disease, and his opinions are looked upon as very yauiaoie,” said another local doctor wlio is himself deeply interested in research worn. “What we of the medical profession mostly feel, is that Professor SpahJinger has not evolved any new treatment, iae has merely devised a new meuaod of making a vaccine or serum which has been used'for many years, following the introduction by Koeh of tuberculin. If it is going to lake tour years to make this agent, it is going to bo very expensive and Hard to handle. There seems to be considerable doubt as to the efficacy of his method. If Professor dpanlinger had been able to point to any considerable number of cases .which had stood the test, ail medical men would bo mailing the treatment, but Great Britain and Australia are holding back, awaiting definite pronouncements. Personally, I shall be surprised if it takes us very 'far, but 1 have an open mind on the subject, with a slight tendency to wonder if there i s anything in it” This medical man said he deplored the suggestion that the professor was opposed bo outsiders finding new cures, for if any' were found and proved in this way, the doctors were only too glad to accept and use thym for the general benefit, as, after all, their mission was to cure. He would apply this to Professor Spahlinger’s researches, although he felt slightly dubious about it at present, in all now storms of treatment doctors must necessarily be somewhat conservative, as they could nob desert old friends for new, until they were proved. The tendency was to receive new treatments with reserve, although all doctors welcomed genuine cures whether they came from a member of the profession or from a lav man.

The doctor quoted maintained that a medical man pledged himself not to withhold or keep secret any cure which he might be fortunate enough to discover, but to give them to (ho profession for the benefit of mankind. Applying that principle they were glad to see anyone find a cure for tuberculosis, cancer, or any of the other diseases