CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1929, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

NEW PLANS TO FIGHT} TRB DISEASE. A CHAIN OF RESEARCH CENTRES* (To the Editor.) Sir, —Good progress is being made in the national campaign for the scientific investigation of asthma, hay-fever,' eczema, migraine and allied diseases’ which, it is estimated, afflict at least half a million of our people. At Guy’s Hospital, a team, including a clinician, biochemist, bacteriologist, immunologist, rhiiiologist, psychologist and radiologist, is already at wprk;' Here a number of patients are 1 being subjected to an exhaustive investigation. which lias already, disclosed a constant deficiency of certain elements in the blood, the correction of .which it is hoped may relieve or even'permanently cure the condition. Equally promising is the work now being undertaken at the newly-formed clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children,’where asthma ’is being attacked at its simplest' and most curable stage. The association of asthma with cyclic vomiting, epilepsy, migraine and skin disease is being investigated at this centre. At the London Clinic, Ranelagh ' Road, S.W., physical methods of treatment, including medicated inhalations,’ ultra-violet radiation, diathermy and breathing exercises are being carefully investigated by a physician who has visited the principal" asthma spas on tho Continent, including Mont Dore, Bad heichenhall and'Ems.

It is proposed to give, a grant to St. Mary’s Hospital where active research on asthma has been carried out for the past eighteen years. It is ..also pro- , „ posed to appoint a research worker at. King’s College, London University, to study the experimental production of asthma and the effects of drugs which relieve the paroxysm. At Brompton Hospital arrangements are being made to ■ investigate the relationship of asthma to general respiratory disease. A grant is also required by the London Hospital for examining tTie effects of X-ray therapy, of which encouraging reports have been made. . So keen is the national desire to forward this work that a number of institutions in the Provinces have agreed to provide research facilities as soon as the funds permit. These include: — .Bristol University, Sheffield University, Stobliill Hospital, Glasgow, Man- . Chester Royal Infirmary, Birmingham General Hospital, Liverpool Royal In- •-■ firm ary, Leeds General Infirmary, Bristol Royal Infirmary and the Royal, Victoria Hospital, Belfast. TliejEdinburgh Asthma Enquiry Committee, . which has been carrying out a statistical investigation, of asthma for the , past eight years‘js also co-operating. Medical sub-cOmmittees - arq, being appointed to enquire imjpartially and without prejudice into-the claims of •osteopaths, homeopaths, nature, curers and others to treat asthma and its allied diseases, and 'no line of investi-,v gabion which gives any promise of i»creasing our knowledge of these, mysterious disorders will he neglected. An interesting ' feature of the campaign is the appeal which is , being made to asthmatic sufferers to cooperate. All sufferers and the parents of all children suffering from asthma in Great Britain and the Overseas . Dominions are being, invited to assist the campaign not only by subscribing but by filling in family history forms which, it is hoped, will give valuable information as fib the influence.of heredity in asthma and its allied disorders A report 'of progress null be publisher annually and will be supplied to subscribers and the Press. • The estimated cost of .the campaign is £50,000, of which approximately £5,200 has already been received m gifts and promises. This is a wor- o / such great national importance that the'comparatively smalL sum reqnn^. to secure its fulfilment should be readily forthcoming. We earnest y P that every sufferer from asthma K y fever, eczema and nngrqme who has not already sent a donation will do so without delay, and that the .campaign will also receive the support of all pei . , , sons of public spirit. be sent to Sir Albert Stern y PMG H»n. Treasurer, Asthma Ke search Council, London Clinic, R-une-lagh Road, S.W. 1, and applications for the family history forms shou made to the secretary at the sam address.

We are, sir, Your obedient servants, dufferin and ava. greenway. H R. L. SHEPPARD. ALBERT G. STEM*. ben tillett. Authorised for publication by tli Asthma Research Council. London, April 10th., 1929.