CONQUERING DISEASE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1925, Page 9

CONQUERING DISEASE.

THE ATTACK ON CANCER. DEVELOPMENTS PENDING. By Telegraph—Press Assn.-—Copyright. London, July 19. The Sunday Times says it can confidently be stated that Dr.- Gye and Mr. Barnard even now have not told the full story. “We believe they are working upon securing immunity against an organism and chemical agent which together produce a malignant disease. it is believed in the case of chickens they have succeeded in securing immunity. “Interesting developments undoubtedly await the detailed exposition in the early autumn. The technique of Dr. Gye and Mr. Barnard is so highly individual that, in cases of the unforeseen happening, their methods would perish with them. The authorities are therefore collecting a body of young technical enthusiasts who will absorb their methods and be able to work their instruments. “Meantime interest increases in the far-reaching advance in the treatment of small-pox and kindred germ-carrying diseases, which Dr. Mervyn Gordon is expected to reveal shortly as the result of researches into the cowpox and smallpox virus. He has been engaged for three years in research work in the laboratories of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital on behalf of the Medical Research Council, and Will make a statement to the British Medical Association this week. Dr. Gordon said yesterday that his report would not be comparable with Dr. Gye’s, though it may bring progress a little further.”

STATEMENT BY DR. GYE. THE DISCOVERY OF VIRUS. London, July 19. Dr. Gye and Mr. Barnard are back at the experimental farm. Dr. Gye is cautious. Interviewed, lie said: “To speculate iu scientific results is contrary to common sense. The recent discovery lias undoubtedly encouraged people, but it may after all prove foolish optimism. “There arc forty or fifty ultra microscopic gerni'S. It is known that they exist in connection with smallpox, influenza and sleeping sickness. That was really what Mr. Barnard and 1 were probing for when we discovered the cancer virus.” Mr. Barnard said: “I think we shall be able to meet the severest critic of the authenticity of our discovery. We have reached the stage when it is possible for team work to start and this may lead to the discovery of a new type of living thing. Our instruments oi to-day will register with accuracy a movement ten times nearer than hitherto.”