MEDICAL CONGRESS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1927, Page 3

MEDICAL CONGRESS.

[IY TELEGRAPH PEK PRESS ABSOCI ATl...*.]

DUNEDIN, Feb nary 9.

At the .Medical Congress to-day, the treatment ol crippled soldiers and children were discussed. Dr. Xewland (Adelaide) said the establishment of orthopaedic, hospitals for war sufferers had become urgent as there were many men who had un-inifted or badly-united fractures, injuries to joints, and other disabilities, which tlucatned to lead to permanent deformities, Dr Xewland said it was surprising how little short ening of limb they bad obtained after fractures of the thigh, as the result of skilled orthopaedic treatment.

Dr Wade (Sydney) said there would be 9(M)0 cripples, - 30(70 being under 21 in New Zealand and in Australia, 3,609 and 12,000 respectively. There was a necessity for stirring up public opinion in the education and treatment of the crippled young. Colonel Wylie (New Zealand) said propangda was not necessary here, as grateful and impressed relatives had spread propaganda to educate the public. Vocational training and academic education were being given in orthopaedic hospitals in the Dominion. Dr Hoyle (Sydney) suggested curative workshops in connection with industry as institutions for the education of crippled children. Others speakers urged that insurance companies should realise the need blithe establishment of large orthopaedic centres.

Lieut-Colonel Carherv condemned orthopaedic treatment for prospective soldiers, because lie maintained it tended towards malingering. At a later period he would exclude men with disabilities from active service in the infantry. Sir Geo. Syme (Melbourne) ilealt with the surgical aspect of hydatical diseases, saying that accumulated experience had led to a modification of the earlier views. They had now adopted general principles. Dr Bond, of Leicester, had introduced an operation eminently satisfactory for evsts in the spleen and kidneys, and for small cysts in the liver, and Dr Hamilton Bussell (Melbourne) had introduced „■ method for dealing with larger cysts which method. Sir George considered was the best, means of t reatment. END OF CONGRESS. DUNEDIN. Feb. 9. The Australasian Medical Congress practically finished its sittings to-day and B large number of delegates will leave to-morrow. The treatment ol cripples in times of war anil peace was the subject of one. of the most important discussions this morning. Schemes for the education and treatment of children. industrial injuries, and the establishment of centres for the practice of orthopaedic surgery, which was linked up with so much value with military surgery in the war. were suggested by the doctors who took part in the discussion.