GREAT INSULIN DISCOVERY CLAIMED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18045, 4 January 1927, Page 10

GREAT INSULIN DISCOVERY CLAIMED.

STEP FORWARD MADE IN DIABETES WAR. (Special to the “ Star.”) WARSAW, November 11. I Dr Casimir Funk, who has succeeded in decomposing insulin and isolating the substances in it, explained his discovery further when seen at his laboratory in Warsaw to-day. Insulin, which has been used so successfully in the treatment of diabetes, is now proved to consist of two components. One is useful, while the other is distinctly harmful. Blood tests were carried out to-day with a number of rabbits which had been injected with the newly-discovered substances. One of the components which constitutes 10 or 15 per cent, of the insulin strikingly increases the quantity of blood sugar. The other component has an exactly opposite effect. Dr Funk’s object now is to find the amount of each substance required to produce the greatest curative effect. He hopes to complete his experiments within a few days. He emphasises the fact that he is a chemist, and does not, therefore, pretend to prophesy concerning the. medical value of his discovery, but scientists have endeavoured to decompose insulin since it was first known, and the accomplishment of this feat is a certain step forward in the war against diabetes. Further details of Dr Funk’s discovery are awaited with considerable interest by British specialists. “It is undoubtedly an important step forward in the treatment of diabetes,” said Dr O. Leyton, one of the greatest authorities on insulin, to a “ Dail}* Express ” representative, “ but it is too soon to express an opinion on its practical value, i “Dr Funk has a great reputation as an accurate observer. The theory that insulin consists of two components, one of which increases blood sugar and another which has the opposite effect, seems to me to be A*-ery likely true. I “Dr Funk’s discover}* will certainly help us very much.” The insulin cure for diabetes was discovered only two years ago by Dr F. G. Banting, of Toronto. Hundreds of lives have, already been saved by the treatment