News Briefs From London

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26659, 3 January 1948, Page 5

News Briefs From London

N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 10 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 2. Lack of monkeys, it is reported, is hampering British investigations into the causes of infantile paralysis. As a result of the epidemic of last summer, efforts are being made to secure monkeys from Africa and India for new lines of research. The Minfstry of Health has also inaugurated a hospital inquiry to secure more accurate information about the disease and the Medical Research Council is making an investigation. Preliminary reports have already been issued by individual doctors based on experiences during the recent epidemic, the most interesting of which is said to be that by Dr Ritchie Russell, of Radcliffe Infirmary. Oxford. He contends that any physical activity in the early stages of the disease may increase the danger of severe and lasting paralysis. Some 8500 cases were reported in Britain last year. Cured by Fall A fall downstairs recently cured a cripple, 14-year-old Doreen Thompson, of Swindon. Two years ago her toes turned up and her feet became twisted. She had to use a bath chair. Then she fell headlong down a flight'’ of stairs, got up and walked away. She was cured. “ Something clicked and 1 found I could turn down my toes.” she said. A surgeon explained: “A blood clot was joining two tendons The fall broke the adhesion.” The Case for Dehorning Cows The best milking cows will not wear horns in Northern England in future. Farmers owning polled herds believe that hornless cows thrive better and can be kept in a given space. The result is more meat and milk. Ayrshire breeders have therefore pledged therriselves to remove horns from all heifer calves. New Photo Fashion

Fabrics with photographs printed on them are forecast as the fashion in the coming year. By a new process, photographs of anything from flowers to film stars or farmyard animals can be printed in up to six colours on dress fabrics, furnishing fabrics, pillows, ties, bathing suits and lingerie. Experiments in this technique were started in 1938, but postponed during the war. Shops will soon be receiving supplies at “reasonable” prices. Broadcasting Technique The 8.8. C. is reported to be plannjng to introduce frequency modulation broadcasting for its third programme. Briefly, this means the use of ultra short waves of one or two metres as opposed to the 261 metre band used by the Home Service. The first F.M. station to be built is at Wrotham. Kent, and will provide.a programme for listeners within a 10 to 15-mile radius. Later a chain of stations is to be built throughout the country. The decision to use F.M. is described as “ a revolution in broadcasting technique comparable with the changeover from crystals to valves.”