The Star. MONDAY. OCTOBER 15, 1923. A CHANCE FOR THE SPAHLINGER CURE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17171, 15 October 1923, Page 6

The Star. MONDAY. OCTOBER 15, 1923. A CHANCE FOR THE SPAHLINGER CURE.

There appears to be a probability that Dr Spahlinger’s appeal for financial assistance to complete his researches will be successful. He claims to have discovered a cure for tuberculosis, but sajs he has exhausted his own and his father’s estates in developing it. It is now reported that Baron Henri Rothschild, who is a qualified medical man, has investigated the cure, and is now making financial arrangements to enable the production of serum to he carried on lor general use in Britain. The project, it is said, is not a commercial but a philanthropic, one. Spahlinger will be fortunate if he has enlisted the aid of the Rothschilds and secured the backing of their wealth. His attitude towards inquirers into the financial side of his work has never been clear. He persistently proclaimed his poverty, but he also refused to discuss proposals which appeared to be highly advantageous. Recently Major-General Sir Neville Howse, on behalf of the Australian Commonwealth, inspected Spahlinger’s Sanatorium. He reported that Spahlinger wanted £50,000 to enable him to continue to manufacture his tuberculosis serum. He would undertake to deliver to Australia a specific quantity in from eighteen months to two years. He had refused the British Government’s offer of £20,000 to carry out a course of treatment in England. Spahlinger asserted that he had spent his father’s fortune of £BO,OOO on experiments, and that was now facing poverty. Nevertheless he lived in the Hotel Metropole with his wife and his medical staff'. The Metropole, in which Spahlinger, senr., holds shares, is the most expensive hotel in Geneva. Spahlinger preserved secrecy as to his methods and, therefore, the medical profession had little material on which to base an opinion of its efficacy. Professional men were looking askance at the publicity campaign on his behalf which violated the traditions of the profession. They considered him ill-advised in placing himself in the hands of publicity experts in London, who were endeavouring to arouse the public to demand that the Government should assist him.

lii view of the world-wide interest in the cure, and its tremendous importance to humanity should it prove genuine and effective, it is- satisfactory to know that a member of the Rothschild family is taking it up, and giving the discoverer the chance lie demanded.