Further Medical Consultations by Radio – Graham Smith
What the ointment contained was never disclosed but it certainly cured a lifelong problem and when he returned to Adelaide at the end of the season he was pronounced ‘cured’.
Late in 1969, which was a record year for sledge parties, a problem occurred with Tony Bushell on an epic mapping run that had taken him down to 70 degrees South and beyond. Sledging rations though somewhat uninteresting were well proven and once one was out in the field gave very few medical problems. Tony developed some form of kidney infection which was painful and very debilitating.
During a lie-up he made contact with the Doctor Terry Allen at Adelaide as to how, and even if, he could suggest a treatment for his condition. Field parties carried very basic medicines for men but relatively extensive medication for dogs. These were usually unlabelled as to contents with the simplest instructions for use.
There ensued an amazing exchange along the following lines:
“Of course I cannot advise you to take any of the dog pills but describe what you have available.”
“There are lots of yellow capsules, some yellow and black and some red and black and a whole mixture of others.”
“The ones most likely to be anti-biotics are probably ….. but of course I cannot advise you to take any. They might do good and certainly should do you no harm.”
Tony accepted his non-advice and recovered completely and finished a very successful field season.
Graham Smith – Geologist, Fossil Bluff 1968
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