MEDICAL SCIENCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16534, 29 December 1927, Page 12

MEDICAL SCIENCE

VIEWS OF SURGEONS AND PHYSICIANS

PROGRESS OF THE YEAR

Few discoveries and adyancfes of major importance, state several of the leading surgeons and physicians in Auckland, were made during 1027, but that the year lias not been barren of effective research work is indicated. “There has been a material elaboration of X-ray work, ” said a specialist in this medium of diagnosis. Particularly was this the case in its wider application to investigation of internal troubles. No longer was the use of X-rays restricted to photographing of fractures. To-day it was a valuable medium in revealing tlio extent and progress of disease in many forms. What was, perhaps, one of the most gratifying features of modern X-ray exploitation was the increasing degree of safety,with which it was used., “In the realm of medicine,” Said a leading physician, “the year has been disappointing in its failure to realist} tlie hopes of important advances. There has, however, been a great deal achieved in innoculative treatment of scarlet fever and diphtheria.'” At a recent meeting of the Britilh Medical Association in England, he mentioned, papers of interest had been read on the treatment of pernicious anaemia by liver extract. In some cases in the treatment of this common disease ordinary calf’s liver had been used, but h successful attempt had been made to isolate from the livers the active ingredients for curing graver forms of anaemia. It was, lie believed, the outstanding. event of the year of medicine. Incidentally, the result of this branch of research had. been successfully exploited in New Zealand.... . ■ o