Cancer in Trout.

Manawatu Herald, 28 April 1904, Page 2

Cancer in Trout.

8 'ME INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS.

With reference to the specimens of janceroua trout recently sent Horae, frozen in ice, by Mr Gilrnth, Chief Government Veterinarian, and Mr \yson, Inspector of Fisheries, to Dr Bash ford, director of the Cancer Research Fund, England, and mention if which was made in the “ Times ” last week, some interesting observations were made by Mr Ayson, now in Auckland, to a “New Zealand Herald” interviewer. Mr Ayson mid th* discovery was not a new one. “ I first noticed this gill disease in 1890, among the American brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), at the Vlasterton trout hatchery. The disease was at first peculiar to this fish until the rainbow trout (Baltno iridens) were introduced, and among them it made its appearance when the fish were three years old. I have never found any in the English brown trout (Salmo fario), but I found three Loch E ven troyt (Salmo levenensis) affected in 1596. These fish were all from three to four years old and the three were collected from 1000 fish taken in 1896. In 1898 about two per cent, of the merican brook trout over three years of age would tie affected, and about one per cent of the rainbow trout over that age. I never heard of a solitary instance of the disease occurring in wild fish dther in the Boutb or the North Island; no case, in short, except among the fish confined in the hatcheries, fish that are kept there for breeding purposes. The largest per centage of the fish affected were the rainbow trout and the American brook trout.” And to what do you attribute the disease among the fish you have specified, and which are stock fish, kept at the hatcheries ? “It is, I believe, duo to the artificial life that they lead, to artificial food, the principal part of which is minced sheep’s plucks and bullock’s liver.” Can you establish any connection Ijetwow disease and this food ?

” Well, at the Government salnSou hatcheries at Hakateramea, a certain proportion of sheep’s plucks are used, but a considerable part of the food used is a patented preparation made from the flesh of a certain sea fish imported from Home. So far there has been no appearance of the disease among the salmon there. We have sent some of this food to be used by the Otago Acclimatisation Society in its hatcheries.”

Is not your discovery likely to be of considerable service in the elucidation of cancer, the cause of which, when known, is considered to be the first step towards its cure ? “ It is impossible to say how important a baring this discovery of cancer in bfood front may have on this vast subject. You will have seen that Mr Gilrutb, tfad Chief Government Veterinarian, has already sent specimens of the affected parts of fialrto Dr Bashford, director °* the Cancer Research - Fuad in Eng * land, and some affected trout have been sent to Dr Bashford, preserved in ice. tis impossible to fortefi at this stage the important issues hanging upon this investigation, not onlyfor New Zealand, but for the whole world. So far as we here are immediately concerned, I would conclude with a summary of my remarks: (1) That the disease has not been found amoag fish in the wild state ; (2) that it is confined to the hatcheries ; (3) that no case has been found among the English browtf trout; (4) that it is chiefly American brook trout and next rainbow trout that are affected; (6) that only three instances of Loch Leven trout have been brought to my notice —and I am certain to have heard of other cases of any disease sooner or later; and (6) that no fish have been found diseased under three years old/’ Recommended by the medical profession —WOLFE'S SCHNAPPS. A Lingering Cough may result in consumption. Chamberlain’s Cough Remedy cures coughs, oo’.ds and influenza. It contains no harmful substance and is pleasant and safe to take. For sale by all dealers.