DENTAL GAS SCARCE

Taihape Daily Times, 20 September 1918, Page 5

DENTAL GAS SCARCE

WHOLE DOMIINON AFFECTED A shortage of nitrous oxide gas, the anaesthetic most employed by dentists in Connection with the extraction of teeth, is being felt throughout the Dominion. Until the outbreak of war, New Zealand depended chiefly for its supplies of dental gas upon Great Britain and Melbourne. Manufacture was also carried on by a Napier firm, the raw materials required jfor th)e purpose being imported from England. War conditions, however, have materially affected the Dominion ’s supplies. Britain apparently cannot produce enough gas ; for the use of her own dentists. Moreover the British Government has prohibited the export of nitrate of panmonia, the principal material required, and. in consequence of the exhaustion of its stock, the Napier establishment ceased to provide gas about eighteen months ago. The Melbourne manufacturers have been reduced do a like’plight, and can, do nothing to help the New Zealand dentists.

The situation in the Southern towns of New Zealand has become acute. Some Christchurch dentists have absolutely exhausted their stocks of gas, Even the Christchurch Hospital is affected. The Christchurch Dental Association has approached the Dominion executive, asking that representations be made to the Government to sec if supplies cannot be obtained. Some Wellington dentists have been without gas for periods ranging from two or three months a year. One large concern, which makes a speciality of extactions, has been without gas for a fortnight while others are using it in the most urgent cases only. In consequence, the use of cocaine injections, or chloroform and ether under medical supervision, has greatly increased of late. Auckland is somewhat more favourably situated. The majority of the local dentists' are entirely out of gas, but a system has been established here under which most of the extraction work is centred in the surgeries of specialists, whose establishments arc ' adequately upplied to meet the probable requirements for some months ahead. One of them secured the greater part of the last large importation made from Melbourne, and another had the tfortesigfht to procure a copious stock from America, which was landed only a few days ago. The Auckland Dental HospittfJ also has sufficient gas i n stock to last, in the ordinary course of consumption, four or five months.