WAR AGAINST T.B.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22339, 26 May 1947, Page 4

WAR AGAINST T.B.

OTAGO RESEARCH VALUABLEPROGRESS INTEREST SHOWN ABROAD (P.A.) DUNEDIN. May 24. Among many research projects at the Otago Medical School is ‘.he study of tubercle bacillus, a germ that breeds tuberculosis which is one of the principal causes of disease and death in New Zealand With funds provided by the W. H. Travis Bequest. Dr Edson associate professor of biochemistry, heads a research team that has made a valuable contribution to the knowledge of this germ by pioneering research into its chemical life processes By concentrating attention on the harmless members of the tubercle family of bacteria it is hoped eventually to piece together the broad pattern of the chemistry of the iife processes of the "T. 8.” germ so that antagonistic agents can be developed

It is known in Otago, for instance, what happens to certain food materials required by bacteria for growth or multiplication during the process of the growth of bacteria The foods are converted into constituents of bacteria by certain chemical agents called enzymes Several of these enzymes have been extracted in an active state and studied so that a pattern is slowly being constructed

Apart from these fundamental ques tions the laboratory has undertaken some applied researches which might be regarded as a .contribution to the study of tuberculosis in New Zealand. Vital (including Maori) statistics have been analysed and reported upon and tubercle bacilli have been typed in both respiratory and non-respiratory cases.

"We have also devised a medium which is very suitable for routine diagnostic purposes," Dr. Edson said. "It is recommended on account of its efficiency and simplicity, and is already in use in some New Zealand hospitals. Inquiries for the formula have also been received from overseas.