T.B. RESEARCH.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20650, 26 June 1935, Page 9

T.B. RESEARCH.

Grant Requested to Assist Investigation. HOSPITAL BOARD DECISION. The North Canterbury Hospital Board at its meeting to-day decided to make a recommendation to the trustees of the Travis Bequest to make available the sum of £IOO to enable the Health Department to undertake an investigation into the incidence of bone and joint tuberculosis in New Zealand. The decision was made after the board had heard a deputation from the Sunlight League requesting it to make the representation to the trustee. The deputation included Dr D. E. Currie, Dr H. E. W. Robertson, Dr W. Aitken. Mrs J. G. Collins, and Miss C. IT. Wilding. In placing the request before the board. Dr Currie read a letter from the Director-General of Health (Dr Watt) which stated that New Zealand lacked knowledge of*-essential data that would enable the authorities to say what need there -was for special institutions for heliotherapy for surgical tuberculosis, and where such institutions should be located. Means of Inquiry. There was need for research into these matters, and Dr Watt suggested two lines of inquiry. These were:— (1) Statistical investigation of surgical tuberculosis in New Zealand. This would mean compilation of records of all cases of surgical tuberculosis in New Zealand, in public hopitals and elsewhere, with- a view to determining which of these -would be likely to benefit from heliotherapy. (2) A metero* logical investigation of certain spots with o view to determining their suitability as the location of an institution where heliotherapy could be practised. The letter stated that heliotherapy had been proved to be of definite benefit, particular!)'- in cases of surgical tuberculosis. Further Dr Watt was satisfied that enquiry along these lines should be instituted in New Zealand, and suggested that the Sunlight League should approach the trustees of the Travis Bequest, for financial assistance. The enquiry would be a valuable -one, and in Dr Watt’s opinion should come within the definition of research work as set out in the will of the late Mr Travis. Representations to Trustee. Dr Currie said that the Sunlight League had made representations to the sole trustee of the Travis Bequest (Mr 11. Pearce) but its request had been refused, Mr Pearce stating that in all cases of research he had decided to deal with the Hospital Board. Accordingly the deputation asked the Hospital Board to approach the trustee and ask him to make the necessary sum available, in which case the Health Department would undertake the necessary statistical survey. But the department could not incur any expense in the matter, and it was thought that £IOO would be sufficient to meet the cost. It was hoped that now, and particularly in view of the remarks of Mr Justice Northcroft 'in the Supreme Court last week, that it was doubtful whether the will of the testator (Mr W. 11. Travis) was being fulfilled, the trustees would readily make available the £IOO required for the statistical investigations.