1405

A WELL-DESERVED APOLOGY

To the Editor of THE LANCET

SiR,-On Dec. 14th a person who called at myconsulting-rooms was told I was in bed with phlebitisand could not be given an appointment for some time.The next day there appeared in a daily paper anarticle of the type from which we, as a profession,urgently require protection. Two days later theattached apology was printed.

" Our attention has been called to the references made inthe article published in the Daily Express on Dec. 15thto the recent unfortunate illness of Sir Harold Gillies.It is suggested that these references are open to the construc-tion that Sir Harold Gillies is seriously and incurably ill.This is not so, and we had no intention of suggesting it.We are pleased to state that we are informed that Sir HaroldGillies is recovered, and hopes to resume his practice againnext week. We wish to express our regret for any annoyanceor inconvenience that may have been caused to Sir HaroldGillies by the article referred to.

" It is perhaps unnecessary to state that the whole article,which was of a laudatory character, was published unknownand without reference to Sir Harold Gillies."

I have to thank the Medical Defence Union and theirsolicitor, Mr. 0. Hempson, with whom I communi-cated immediately, for this prompt result.

Satisfactory as this is, it can undo only a smallportion of the damage done, and my medical colleaguesagree with me that it is a pity that counsel feltconstrained to advise against further action of anadmonitory nature. If I thought that a modificationin the law of libel or an improvement in the ethicalstandard of journalism might result I should havefelt inclined to proceed despite counsel’s opinion. Itis perhaps hoping too much, but possibly a strongbody of journalists could lay down ethical rules whichwould govern press publications defining thosedetrimental to the best interests of professions suchas the medical and legal, and departure from whichwould be condemned in no uncertain way. Helpfrom the " closed " professions in framing these rulesof press publications would readily be forthcoming.The present intense and bitter distrust amongstdoctors of the power of the press is entirely due tothe latter, and it is

" up to them " to

"

put their housein order." Grave and frequent unjust resentmentbetween members of the medical profession wouldthus be avoided, and a better feeling between jour-nalism and the " closed " professions established,much to the advantage of the general public to whomboth professions owe their allegiance.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,Harley-street, W., Dec. 19th, 1932. H. D. GILLIES.H. D. GILLIES.

RADIOTHERAPY IN BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

To the Editor of THE LANCET

SiR,-Prof. van Leeuwen’s communication to theRoyal Society of Medicine provoked an interestingdiscussion on the relation of bronchial asthma to vaso-motor affections of the nose, but it was admitted thatnasal treatment had proved disappointing. From yourannotation of Dec. 10th (p. 1287)itis not clear whetherany reference was made to the treatment by radio-therapy of the victims of this malady. In children,by suitable exposure to the rays of a mercury-vapourlamp, attacks may be reduced from daily occurrenceto an incidence of one in 2-3 months, with coinci-

dent improvement in general health. In the adult,light treatment does not have the same effect, butrelief may often be obtained from X rays. Some

years ago S. Gilbert Scott showed that the best.results were obtained by treating the abdomenrather than the chest, and by pushing the treatmentuntil slight radiation sickness was produced. It istrue that application to the chest sometimes succeeds,but I have recently had the opportunity of tryingX rays to the abdomen in a case after chest applica--tion had proved unsuccessful; the result has beento give great relief. As more than a year elapsedbetween the courses, late results from the first are-

practically excluded.It has been suggested that such radiotherapy is.

really only a form of protein shock. There is probablysome truth in this view, but it can scarcely explainwhy abdominal application should be more successfulthan treatment to the chest. Dr. Scott’s view is thatthe adrenals are concerned ; there is also the possibilitythat digestive processes are modified. Howeverthis may be, X rays are worth trying in any case,which proves obstinate to ordinary methods. The,good effects, while often not permanent, may last formany months, and the dosage can be safely repeated.Many patients are thus enabled to follow their ordinaryoccupations who would otherwise be incapacitated.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,F. HERNAMAN-JOHNSON.

Brook-street, W., Dec. 14th, 1932.F. HERNAMAN-JOHNSON.

FRACTURES OF THE SPINE WITHPARAPLEGIA

To the Editor of THE LANCET

SiR,—For the purposes of collective investigation,.and in order to assess the value of the treatment, Ishould be much obliged if any surgeon who has

attempted the manipulative reduction of fractures.and fracture-dislocations of the spine with paraplegia.would be good enough to let me have brief notes ofthe cases, whatever the results may have been.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,Liverpool, Dec. 17th, 1932. R. WATSON JONES.R. WATSON JONES.

WANTED FŒTAL ADRENAL GLANDS

To the Editor f THE LANCET

SIR,-Perhaps you will allow us to make an appealto obstetricians and others for material in connexionwith some research now in progress in this department..The cells of the adrenal cortex bear a strong

resemblance to those of the corpus luteum. Five-sixths of the adrenal cortex of the fcetus undergoes,after birth, a degeneration which begins approxi-mately at the same time as parturition. Experimentsare now in progress to investigate the possible relationsof these two processes. For this purpose adrenal.

glands are required from fcetuses over four monthsold-preferably those obtained by Caesarean section.To be of use the glands must be removed as soon aspossible ; cut up and placed immediately in twicetheir volume of 95 per cent. alcohol, if possible in arefrigerator. Details and materials will be sent to-

anyone interested.We are, Sir, yours faithfully,

SAMSON WRIGHTA. T. WILSON.

Physiology Dept., The Middlesex HospitalMedical School, W., Dec. 19th, 1932.

SAMSON WRIGHT,A. T. WILSON.

Physiology Dept., The Middlesex HospitalMedical School, W., Dec. 19th, 1932.