KEROSENE FOR CANCER

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1931, Page 3

KEROSENE FOR CANCER

MEDICAL MEN’S REPORT. “WITHOUT SCIENTIFIC BASIS.” The assertion that he could cure cancer by means of what he called the “kerosene treatment” has been made by Mr. L. N.' White, of Auckland. After careful inquiries into his claims by the cancer consultation committee of the Auckland Hospital’s medical staff, it has been decided that Air. White’s method is entirely without scientific basis or proven effect.

A sub-committee of four well-known Auckland medical men, with Dr. Walter Gilmour, pathologist at the Auckland hospital, as chairman, was appointed by the consultation committee in inquire into the claims, and on Alonday met Mr, White to furnish him with its views. The report read:—

“The cancer consultation committee of the Auckland hospital medical staff have interviewed Air. L. N. White on four occasions in respect of his method of treatment in cancer. • Mr. White gave particulars of eight eases which he'has already treated. The results of the committee’s investigations into these cases are summarised below. After giving Mr. Wlhite a written guarantee that no member of the Auckland hospital staff would claim any credit or reward arising out of this treatment, Air. White described the method in detail. “The committee has discussed ths method, and decided. that it contains nothing new, either by the way of drug or diet, nor any feature likely to have any beneficial effect on the course of a case of cancer. On the contrary, it would have a deleterious effect upon, even a healthy subject. “Air. White made it clear that he made no claim to be able to diagnose either the existence or location of cancer, and that he relied upon medical men for this information. His treatment has undergone considerable changes in the past four years, and the system given the committee is in many respect* different from, and more elaborate than, that by which he claims to have cured himself. He also claims that the treatment, with slight modifications, has proved efficacious in his hands in the treatment of diphtheria, septicaemia, and many other medical conditions.. “The conclusion of the committee, therefore, is. that the method described is entirely without scientific basis or proven effect in the treatment of cancer, and that it is against the public interest that Air. White should treat cases of this or other disease.”

Eight alleged, cases of cancer which Mr. White claimed to have treated were dealt with in the report. The first was a verified case of the disease which was treated by operation. A recurrence., took place, and was successsfully treated by radium before Mr. White applied kerosene. Mr. White mentioned the case of a man at Whangarei, but could not give the name or address, or the man’s condition. Another alleged ease showed that there was never any evidence of cancer. There was insufficient evidence in connection with the fourth case referred to, and in the fifth the diagnosis was not certain. No information was available about the. sixth case, and in the seventh , the patient died some months after treatment.. Mr. White also referred to a suspected case of cancer, but after investigation the committee was of the opinion that it was very unlikely that cancer- 'had ever been present. The report was made at the request of .the Minister of Health, the Hon. A'. J. 'Stallworthy. Medical opinion had been against the ’feasibility of Mr. White’s method all along, and it was with the idea of clearing up the controversy that his claim was thoroughly inquired into. •

Mr. White came into prominence over a year ago a.s the outcome of his claim that he had cured himself of cancer by kerosene treatment. In Connection with the treatment he said that kerosene was only portion of the method, and that in addition he relied on. packs and a special diet. '