ASTHMA RESEARCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21529, 29 December 1931, Page 9

ASTHMA RESEARCH

SOME NEW LIGHT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 18. At the Asthma Clinic at Guy’s Hospital, further study has been made of the chemical changes associated with the asthmatic paroyxsm. As a result of this study hope is now entertained that a step forward m therapy may be possible, because the injection of small doses of an albuminous substance found in cases of asthma seems to ‘ disensitisc ’ the patient and free hun from his malady.” . , A report that has been issued further states •" ■*• “ We have already treated a large number of patients, and the results have been very satisfactory in some instances. _ Another discovery of great interest is that a large number of sufferers from asthma have in their mouths an organism which is capable of forming the substance known as histamine. This substance may play a dominant part in the production of the asthmatic paroxysm, as it is capable of causing a powerful contraction ot the bronchial tubes. HEREDITARY IN FLUEN CE. At the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond street-, a careful investigation, conducted by the Asthma Clinic, has shown that j,n two out of every three cases some relative of the asthma-tic child sunei-od from the disease. The affected relative was found twice as frequently _on the mother’s side as on the father s side. On the other hand, three times as many boys as girls were affected before the age of adolescence. After that age males and females were found to be equally susceptible. Where no hereditary influence could be discovered there was nearly always a history of severe lung disease in the patient. The most common causative factors in the homes appeared to be the feather beds and pillows, horeshair beds and pillows, animal pets, and dust. Abnormalities or digestion, for example, deficiency or absence of acid gastric juice, were noted in some cases. Great importance is attached to tlie breaking of the asthma habit by suitable treatment. . At King’s College Hospital, in the department of physiology, work has been carried out on the desensitisation of bronchiel tubes. It is stated:—; “As an outcome of these investigations it has been found possible to desensitise bronchi without making them contract. The finding opens up the possibility of desensitising asthmatics at a single treatment without the innumerable injections which, hitherto have been necessary^