AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23352, 18 November 1937, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

TREATMENT OF PARALYSIS NURSE KENNY’S METHODS SYDNEY, Nov. 16. The Sun newspaper, dealing with Sister Elizabeth Kenny’s treatment of infantile paralysis, cites instances of beneficial results achieved by a special clinic established at the Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, where Sister Kenny’s methods are .'being tried out and where six Victorian nurses are receiving special training. Sister Kenny’s 'methods briefly are as follows ;-r 1. Maintenance of a bright mental outlook in the patient. 2. Maintenance of the impulses. 3. Hydrotherapeutic remedial measures. 4. Maintenance .of blood circulation. i 5. Avoidance of generally accepted methods of immobilisation of the limbs. The joints and muscles are given exercises, but not to the point of fatigue, instead of being allowed to remain immobile. Sister Kenny aims to instil a spirit of optimism and the will to recover. Thus the nurses are specially selected for their cheerfulness and enthusiasm. MINISTER DEFENDS' METHODS SYDNEY, Nov. 17. (Received Nov. 17, at 11 p.m.) Defending Sister Kenny’s infantile paralysis methods, the Federal Minister of Health, Mr W. ,M. Hughes, declared: “The British Medical Association’s criticism of Sister Kenny’s treatment is unconvincing, illogical and not free from inaccuracies.” Mr Hughes pointed out that the British Medical Association’s assertion that “ the only reports on Sister Kenny’s treatment have been unfavourable ” is entirely opposed to facts revealed by the Medical Committee olj the Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, where clinic cases were showing marked improvement. Mr Hughes emphasises that Sister Kenny’s patients have been those whom ordinary conventional methods had not benefited. The Minister then adds: “ Here is a disease which the medical profession can neither prevent nor cure, yet it adopts an amazing attitude. This is not the time for experimentation. My view is that if Sister Kenny’s methods promise—as results seem to show—better results than conventional methods they should be adopted and applied in all cases from the inception of the disease.”

NEW ALL-STEEL EXPRESS TRIAL RUN FROM MELBOURNE MELBOURNE, Nov. 17. (Received Nov. 17, at 11.55 p.m.) Three hundred passengers were the guests of the Victorian Railways Commissioners to-day, and enjoyed a trial run in the new all-steel express named “ The Spirit of Progress,” which was built at a cost of £190,000. The train will be used on the Mel-bourne-Albury section of the Sydney line. It reached a speed to-day of 80 miles an hour. Air-condi-tioned throughout, it proved a revelation in railway transport. After the christening of the train by the Premier, the chairman of the commissioners, Mr H. W. Clapp, said: “The train is the department’s answer to all other transports. It is a great pioneering work of rail--reading in Australia. It is the finest train in Australia, ranking with the best in the world.” The passengers were delighted with the interior silence, the pleasant temperature, and the luxurious furnishings. CREW OF THE SILKSWORTH SYDNEY, Nov. 17. (Received Nov. 18, at 1 a.m.) The Chinese crew of the Silksworth will sail for Hongkong on Saturday, notwithstanding that the dispute about their wages has not been settled. MARATHON CYCLIST’S PROGRESS SYDNEY, Nov. 17. (Received Nov. 18, at 1 a.m.) Hubert Opperman, the cyclist, who is attempting to break the record from Perth to Sydney reached Albury at 2 p.m. to-day, and expects to arrive in Sydney to-morrow night.