DRUGS FROM ANIMAL

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 264, 6 August 1942, Page 4

DRUGS FROM ANIMAL

GLANDS Research Work At Lincoln MANUFACTURE FOR USE IN MEDICAL PRACTICE (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, August 5. The shortage or potential shortage of essential medical drugs in New Zealand has led to a new type of research work being undertaken at Canterbury Agricultural College. The college animal husbandry and chemical staffs, in co-operation with the Otago Medical School, have been given the task of investigating the possibility of manufacturing certain hormones derived from animal glands? These are of considerable importance in medical practice. .The college is responsible for securing the glands concerned and For extrfletinjj the hoiniones contained. The medical school then tests the product and standardizes it for medical use. Pituitrin, which is obtained from a small gland at the base of the Drain of cattle and which is employed in maternity and surgical work, has been prepared successfully, the product comparing favourably with the imported article. A largo supply has been made for use in emergency. Work on adrenalin for surgical purposes and upon thyroxin for treatment is proceeding. Count Wodzicki, Consul-General lor Poland in New Zealand, and professor of anatomy of the University of Warsaw, has co-operated with the college staff in this work. The Westfield Freezing Co., Auckland, has placed its facilities at the disposal of the college, and has made possible the collection of many thousands of animal glands. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has been responsible for initiating the hormone investigations.