TUBERCULOSIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19992, 8 November 1927, Page 7

TUBERCULOSIS

SPAHLINGER “CURE” Will Soon be Forgotten, Napier Surgeon Says PROGRESS MADE ABROAD. [ Special " Chronicle ” Service. ] AUCKLAND, Nov. 7. The progress made abroad in the campaign against disease was described by Dr. J. Allan Berry, medical superintendent of the Napier Hospital, who returned by the Niagara to-day after a nine months’ tour of Englandj the Continent and America.

“The Liverpool Infirmary is claiming remarkable cures in the treatment of inoperable and apparently hopeless cases of cancer with Bell’s collodial lead preparations.” ho said. “The wcess attending Liverpool’s efforts is gaining attention overseas, for at least one speaker at the recent American Aledical Associations conference spoke strongly in favour of Bell’s treatment adducing a remarkable series of apparent cures. From what I saw of the research work which is being done in England and other countries, I believe it looks as if a cure for cancer is just around the corner. “What I think will be of interest to tuberculosis sufferers in New Zealand,” said Dr. Berry, “was my visit to Dr. Spahlinger’s clinic in Switzerland, where he allowed me to make an exhaustive inspection of his laboratory methods and to examine some of his patients. I was especially interested in a Now Zealander who is receiving treatment at Dr. Spahlinger’s hands and who has boon quoted in New Zealand as an example of the efficacy of Spahlinger’s treatment. This pa'tient, whom I examined, gives at present no clinical signs of active tuberculosis. He has received a five years 1 course of Spahlinger’s vaccines, sera, and enzymes, but in my opinion this patient’s improvement was largely influenced by the excellent medical and educative treatment he received at the Pukcora Sanitoriuni in Hawke’s Bay before he went to Switzerland. Since he has been in Switzerland thia New Zealand sufferer has left Geneva each winter for the warmer climates of Nice or Egypt. This change in climate each year along with the patient’s realisation of the value of the continuation of the Pukeora treatment has probably brought about his improvements. “Opinions divided as to the value of Spahlinger’s claims,” concluded Dr. Berry, “and among Swiss scientists he is unhesitatingly denounced. Whether there is anything in his treatment it is impossible to say. His cases aro not scientifically controlled. His treatment still remains a secret, and in my opinion his claims to have discovered a specific cure for pulmonary and surgical tuberculosis will soon be completely forgotten.”