INSULIN DEVELOPMENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1924, Page 4

INSULIN DEVELOPMENTS

CHEAPER MEANS OF PRODUCTION. (Lyttelton ‘Times.”) Although insulin was given to the world by Dr. Banting, of Toronto, about eighteen months ago only, it has already boon the Means of prolonging tile lives cf thousands of diabetics. For them, previous to the discovery of of insulin, the future held very litt'e. To-day. they have hopes of carrying on their ordinary avocations and living a full and useful life. Ten months ago. Christchurch, sufferers had this drug made available to them, but at that time the cost- of treatment was almost prohibitive, coming to nearly 8s a day. To-day the price is down to one penny a unit, the average injec tion being about forty units a day. Each week the number of patients increases. About forty are now receiving help at the Christchurch Hospital. As yet, no absolute cure for diabetes lias lieen discovered, so the insulin patients must go cm taking insulin, while fresh patients are added lo the roll. The number will go on increasing and even greater demands will be made for the drug.

There is now in view the necessity for special clinics for the treatment of diabetics. At- present, the Christchurch Hospital stair can cope with the demand. but in the future special provision will have to be made for the treatment of sufferers. The future is bright as far as the price of this drug is eonco.i r.ed. In a couple of months, it is hoped, the price will be in the vicinity of •>] a unit, and before the end of the year, the indications arc* that the price will lie Jd a unit, placing the drug within the reach of all. It is only in the more severe < ases of diabetes that the patients have to use insulin. In most cases, the disease may be kept under control by strict dieting—a much cheaper process of obtaining relief than that cf using insulin.

The main reason for the reduction in price which is expected is the use of wnler in extracting the drug. Previously pure alcohol, bad been used as the extracting agent, but it lias now lieen proved that waier will obtain the same results. This, in itself, is perhaps the biggest advance which lias been made in the world of medical science since the discovert - of insulin.