"BRITAIN LEADS THE WAY."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19152, 8 November 1927, Page 7

"BRITAIN LEADS THE WAY."

N.Z, DOCTOR'S OPINION. CAMPAIGN AGAINST DISEASE, [THE FBEBS Special Seme*.;! AUCKLAND, November The progress raa'e abroad in the campaign against disease was described !)y Dr. J. Allan Berry, medical superintendent of the Napier Hospital, who returned by the Niagara to-day, after a nine months' tour of England, the Continent, and ' America.

•'America has not produced a single new idea that can compare with the many notable discoveries by British and Continental scientists," said Dr. Berry. "Before I went to America 1 visited the principal hospitals of Britain, Scotland, France, Denmark, Germany, and other Continental countries. From what 1 saw of foreign work, I felt more convinced that London, so Tar as medical and surgical work is concerned, still holds first place, and many of the English provincial schools have also yery high standards. Edinburgh, particularly, doing magnificent work, and the new generation of physicians .and surgeons is well maintaining the splendid traditions of the past. Treatment of Cancer. "The- Liverpool Infirmary is claiming remarkable cures in treatment of incperablo and apparently hopeless ..cases of cancer with Beii's colloidal lead preparations. The success attending Liverpool's efforts is gaining attention overseas, for at least one speaker at the recent. American Medical Association's Conference spoke strongly in favour of Bell's treatment, adducing a remarkable series of apparent cures. From wuat I saw of tho work which is being done in England and other countries. ] believe it looks as if a cure far cancer is just around the corner.

"Tremendous interest is being taken, in the work of Dr. Gye antl Mr J. E. Barnard, who claim that an ultramicroscopic virus with an accessory factor is the causative agent of cancer. Dr. Gye accepted recently a. challenge of tho Research Institute in Boston to repeat his startling experiments before the Institute in its laboratories.

"In preventive medicine Britain undoubtedly leads the world. Sir R. Philip, president of the British Medical Association, recently summarised the position when he said: '1 am content for the moment to underline what I believe to be unchangeable—that BiS.tain possesses tb'e amplest machinery found anywhere for the prevention of disease—machinery, Tvhi<>> by reason of its completeness from centre to periphery and its uniformity of operation, is justly the envy of the world.' "

M. Spahlinger's Work,

What I think will be of interest to tuberculosis sufferers in New Zealand was my visit to M. Spahlinger's clinic in Switzerland, where lie allowed me to make an exhaustive inspection of his laboratory methods and examine some of his patients. I was especially interested in a New Zealander, who is receiving treatment at M. Spahlinger's hands, and ,who has been quoted in New Zealand as an example of the efficacy of M. Spahlinger's treatment. This patient, whom I examined, gives at present no clinical signs of active tuberculosis. He has received a fiveyears' course of M. Spahlinger's vaccine 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 Pukeora Sanatorium in Hawke's Bay before lie went to Switzerland. Since he has been in Switzerland tliis New Zealand sufferer has left Geneva each winter for the warmer climes 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 improvement. "Opinion is divided as to the value of M. Spahlinger's claim," 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 are not scientifically controlled. His treatment still remains secret, and in my opinion his claims to have discovered a specific cure for pulmonary and surgical tuberculosis will, soon be completely forgotten."