GREAT DISCOVERY IN SURGERY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16604, 6 December 1924, Page 3

GREAT DISCOVERY IN SURGERY.

SIMPLE OPERATION CURES ULCEROUS AND * NERVOUS INDIGESTION. NEW YORK EXPERTS BELIEVE METHOD WILL REVOLUTIONISE GASTRIC SURGERY. NEW YORK, Oct. 22.—Another name was carved in the hall of medical achievement with the announcement on Tuesday night of a now operation which medical experts agree is likely to revolutionise gastric surgery and entirely change the treatment for ulcerous and nervous indigestion, one of the most troublesome and widespread of modern diseases. 2500 MEDICAL MEN HEAR DETAILS OF DISCOVERY. As in the case of the discovery of insulin for the treatment of diabetes, the credit for the achievement goes to a Britisher, Dr. EL B. Devine, of Melbourne, Australia. Before 2500 leading medical men gathered at the clinical congress of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Deviue made public for the Jirst time in this country tho details of the new operation. The operation is based upon a complete revision of much that is accepted in surgery and physiology. In tho past the operation for ulcers arising from nervous indigestion was to cut away, part of the stomach, a very dangerous and difficult procedure. The new operation is simple, safe and can be done by any skilful surgeon. In the light of recent discoveries by Dr. Koylo and Dr. Hunter, both of Australia, Dr. Devine found that the sympathetic nervous system plays an important, part in the functioning of the stomach. The speed and nervewracking tension of modern, living, through these nerves cause the stomach to become cramped and in this unnatural position it ceases to function properly. OPERATION IS SIMPLE AND WITHOUT DANGER.

The simple discovery of Dr. Devine is that this trouble can be entirely eliminated by completely neutralising the sympathetic nervous controlling area. When this has been accomplished the stomach is again able to function normally and the ulcers and gastric, trouble will disappear. It was pointed out that perhaps tho greatest benttit of the discovery, which was accepted by the surgeons ay a. great improvement on existing methods, is the fact that the operation, being simple and comparatively safe, is within the reach of rich and poor alike, and that the thousands who now. suffer lie able to find relief without consulting experts and specialists in gastric ailments. mumammmmmnmmmmmmmmmi *