THE SPAHLINGER TREATMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 September 1924, Page 16

THE SPAHLINGER TREATMENT.

DR. BLACKMORE’S INVESTIGATIONS.

AN OFFICIAL. REPORT. • LONDON, July 30. By the last- mail Sir James Allen forwarded to the Government Dr. G. J, Blackmore’s leport on the Spalilinger treatment of tuberculosis. In the meantime lie has sent out a cable message indicating the chief points of the report. Dr. Blackmore writes in appreciation to the High Commissioner of the wav in which the latter received him, and of the frank wav in which Mons. Spahlinger discussed his treatment and theories. “As you accompanied me to Geneva, and the laboratory,” he says, “it is hardly necessary for me to say much about the way I was received by Moms.' Spahlingef. but I should like to record that I believe him to be a sincere, honest man—one who is not out for gain, but who isineerelv desires to do dftmething for the benefit of humanity, and who really believes that he is doing work which will prove of immense benefit to the tuberculous. He showed me all his laboratory, explained much of his methods, and was. entirely frank and open in answering the questions I put to him. Much of the information he gave nie I regard a,s confidential until such time as he cares to publish it, and I .have therefore not mentioned these matters in my report, with the ycsult that my account of his methods is not full and is a popular rather than a strictly scientific and accurate account.”

It apnears that Dr. Blackmore considers that much confirmatory work is needed by means of independent investigation before Mons. Spahlino-er’s conclusions as to the 22 poisonsAmd the various symptoms produced by them could be- accepted as proved Mons. Spahlinger’s practice as regards .the production and use of his serum is based on his belief that his opinions are correct, and evidently Dr. Blackmoire knows !<o independent experimental evidence which beam out the theories held by Mons. Spahlinger The serums are acknowledged by Mons. Spahlinger not to be a cure, but they tide over a dangerous period and eive the tissues a. chance to bring their defensive mechanism into play. aocines must be employed to obtain permanent results. Dr. Blackmore' appears to be rather doubtful whether the results produced by Mons. Spahhnger s Vaccines are better than bv the use of tuberculin, but he admits that the results are sufficiently good to warrant a thorough test. He considers the New Zealand Government would be justified in paying Mens Spahlinger a certain sum to enTn t lut ", to Produce his vaccines so that a thorough trial could be made m New Zealand, but a - condition of nayment should be that Mons.. Spahlinger allows New Zealand bacteriologists to work in his laboratory.