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RADIOTHERAPY IN BRONCHIAL ASTHMA
1405 A WELL-DESERVED APOLOGY
To the Editor
of THE
LANCET
Dec. 14th a person who called at my was told I was in bed with phlebitis and could not be given an appointment for some time. The next day there appeared in a daily paper an article of the type from which we, as a profession, urgently require protection. Two days later the
SiR,-On
consulting-rooms
attached
apology
was
printed.
"
Our attention has been called to the references made in on Dec. 15th to the recent unfortunate illness of Sir Harold Gillies. It is suggested that these references are open to the construction 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 Harold Gillies is recovered, and hopes to resume his practice again next week. We wish to express our regret for any annoyance or inconvenience that may have been caused to Sir Harold Gillies by the article referred to. " It is perhaps unnecessary to state that the whole article, which was of a laudatory character, was published unknown and without reference to Sir Harold Gillies."
the article published in the Daily Express
I have to thank the Medical Defence Union and their
In the adult, in general health. treatment does not have the same effect, but relief may often be obtained from X rays. Some years ago S. Gilbert Scott showed that the best. results were obtained by treating the abdomen rather than the chest, and by pushing the treatment until slight radiation sickness was produced. It is true that application to the chest sometimes succeeds, but I have recently had the opportunity of trying X rays to the abdomen in a case after chest applica-tion had proved unsuccessful; the result has been to give great relief. As more than a year elapsed between the courses, late results from the first arepractically excluded. It has been suggested that such radiotherapy is. really only a form of protein shock. There is probably some truth in this view, but it can scarcely explain why abdominal application should be more successful than treatment to the chest. Dr. Scott’s view is that the adrenals are concerned ; there is also the possibility that digestive processes are modified. However this 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 for many months, and the dosage can be safely repeated. Many patients are thus enabled to follow their ordinary occupations who would otherwise be incapacitated. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, dent
improvement
light
solicitor, Mr. 0. Hempson, with whom I communicated immediately, for this prompt result. F. HERNAMAN-JOHNSON. Satisfactory as this is, it can undo only a small portion of the damage done, and my medical colleagues Brook-street, W., Dec. 14th, 1932. agree with me that it is a pity that counsel felt constrained to advise against further action of an FRACTURES OF THE SPINE WITH admonitory nature. If I thought that a modification in the law of libel or an improvement in the ethical PARAPLEGIA standard of journalism might result I should have To the Editor of THE LANCET felt inclined to proceed despite counsel’s opinion. It is perhaps hoping too much, but possibly a strong SiR,—For the purposes of collective investigation,. body of journalists could lay down ethical rules which and in order to assess the value of the treatment, I would govern press publications defining those should be much obliged if any surgeon who has detrimental to the best interests of professions such attempted the manipulative reduction of fractures. as the medical and legal, and departure from which and fracture-dislocations of the spine with paraplegia. would be condemned in no uncertain way. Help would be good enough to let me have brief notes of from the " closed " professions in framing these rules the cases, whatever the results may have been. of press publications would readily be forthcoming. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, R. WATSON JONES. The present intense and bitter distrust amongst Liverpool, Dec. 17th, 1932. doctors of the power of the press is entirely due to the latter, and it is " up to them " to put their house in order." Grave and frequent unjust resentment WANTED FŒTAL ADRENAL GLANDS between members of the medical profession would To the Editor f THE LANCET thus be avoided, and a better feeling between journalism and the " closed " professions established, SIR,-Perhaps you will allow us to make an appeal much to the advantage of the general public to whom to obstetricians and others for material in connexion both professions owe their allegiance. with some research now in progress in this department.. The cells of the adrenal cortex bear a strong I am, Sir, yours faithfully, "
resemblance to those of the corpus luteum. Fivesixths of the adrenal cortex of the fcetus undergoes, after birth, a degeneration which begins approximately at the same time as parturition. Experiments RADIOTHERAPY IN BRONCHIAL ASTHMA are now in progress to investigate the possible relations of these two processes. For this purpose adrenal. To the Editor of THE LANCET from are fcetuses over four months required glands SiR,-Prof. van Leeuwen’s communication to the old-preferably those obtained by Caesarean section. Royal Society of Medicine provoked an interesting To be of use the glands must be removed as soon as discussion on the relation of bronchial asthma to vaso- possible ; cut up and placed immediately in twice motor affections of the nose, but it was admitted that their volume of 95 per cent. alcohol, if possible in a nasal treatment had proved disappointing. From your refrigerator. Details and materials will be sent toannotation of Dec. 10th (p. 1287)itis not clear whether anyone interested. any reference was made to the treatment by radioWe are, Sir, yours faithfully, therapy of the victims of this malady. In children, SAMSON WRIGHT, WRIGHT by suitable exposure to the rays of a mercury-vapour A. T. WILSON. lamp, attacks may be reduced from daily occurrence Physiology Dept., The Middlesex Hospital to an incidence of one in 2-3 months, with coinciMedical School, W., Dec. 19th, 1932. Harley-street, W., Dec. 19th, 1932.
H. D. GILLIES.
To the Editor
of THE
LANCET
Dec. 14th a person who called at my was told I was in bed with phlebitis and could not be given an appointment for some time. The next day there appeared in a daily paper an article of the type from which we, as a profession, urgently require protection. Two days later the
SiR,-On
consulting-rooms
attached
apology
was
printed.
"
Our attention has been called to the references made in on Dec. 15th to the recent unfortunate illness of Sir Harold Gillies. It is suggested that these references are open to the construction 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 Harold Gillies is recovered, and hopes to resume his practice again next week. We wish to express our regret for any annoyance or inconvenience that may have been caused to Sir Harold Gillies by the article referred to. " It is perhaps unnecessary to state that the whole article, which was of a laudatory character, was published unknown and without reference to Sir Harold Gillies."
the article published in the Daily Express
I have to thank the Medical Defence Union and their
In the adult, in general health. treatment does not have the same effect, but relief may often be obtained from X rays. Some years ago S. Gilbert Scott showed that the best. results were obtained by treating the abdomen rather than the chest, and by pushing the treatment until slight radiation sickness was produced. It is true that application to the chest sometimes succeeds, but I have recently had the opportunity of trying X rays to the abdomen in a case after chest applica-tion had proved unsuccessful; the result has been to give great relief. As more than a year elapsed between the courses, late results from the first arepractically excluded. It has been suggested that such radiotherapy is. really only a form of protein shock. There is probably some truth in this view, but it can scarcely explain why abdominal application should be more successful than treatment to the chest. Dr. Scott’s view is that the adrenals are concerned ; there is also the possibility that digestive processes are modified. However this 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 for many months, and the dosage can be safely repeated. Many patients are thus enabled to follow their ordinary occupations who would otherwise be incapacitated. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, dent
improvement
light
solicitor, Mr. 0. Hempson, with whom I communicated immediately, for this prompt result. F. HERNAMAN-JOHNSON. Satisfactory as this is, it can undo only a small portion of the damage done, and my medical colleagues Brook-street, W., Dec. 14th, 1932. agree with me that it is a pity that counsel felt constrained to advise against further action of an FRACTURES OF THE SPINE WITH admonitory nature. If I thought that a modification in the law of libel or an improvement in the ethical PARAPLEGIA standard of journalism might result I should have To the Editor of THE LANCET felt inclined to proceed despite counsel’s opinion. It is perhaps hoping too much, but possibly a strong SiR,—For the purposes of collective investigation,. body of journalists could lay down ethical rules which and in order to assess the value of the treatment, I would govern press publications defining those should be much obliged if any surgeon who has detrimental to the best interests of professions such attempted the manipulative reduction of fractures. as the medical and legal, and departure from which and fracture-dislocations of the spine with paraplegia. would be condemned in no uncertain way. Help would be good enough to let me have brief notes of from the " closed " professions in framing these rules the cases, whatever the results may have been. of press publications would readily be forthcoming. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, R. WATSON JONES. The present intense and bitter distrust amongst Liverpool, Dec. 17th, 1932. doctors of the power of the press is entirely due to the latter, and it is " up to them " to put their house in order." Grave and frequent unjust resentment WANTED FŒTAL ADRENAL GLANDS between members of the medical profession would To the Editor f THE LANCET thus be avoided, and a better feeling between journalism and the " closed " professions established, SIR,-Perhaps you will allow us to make an appeal much to the advantage of the general public to whom to obstetricians and others for material in connexion both professions owe their allegiance. with some research now in progress in this department.. The cells of the adrenal cortex bear a strong I am, Sir, yours faithfully, "
resemblance to those of the corpus luteum. Fivesixths of the adrenal cortex of the fcetus undergoes, after birth, a degeneration which begins approximately at the same time as parturition. Experiments RADIOTHERAPY IN BRONCHIAL ASTHMA are now in progress to investigate the possible relations of these two processes. For this purpose adrenal. To the Editor of THE LANCET from are fcetuses over four months required glands SiR,-Prof. van Leeuwen’s communication to the old-preferably those obtained by Caesarean section. Royal Society of Medicine provoked an interesting To be of use the glands must be removed as soon as discussion on the relation of bronchial asthma to vaso- possible ; cut up and placed immediately in twice motor affections of the nose, but it was admitted that their volume of 95 per cent. alcohol, if possible in a nasal treatment had proved disappointing. From your refrigerator. Details and materials will be sent toannotation of Dec. 10th (p. 1287)itis not clear whether anyone interested. any reference was made to the treatment by radioWe are, Sir, yours faithfully, therapy of the victims of this malady. In children, SAMSON WRIGHT, WRIGHT by suitable exposure to the rays of a mercury-vapour A. T. WILSON. lamp, attacks may be reduced from daily occurrence Physiology Dept., The Middlesex Hospital to an incidence of one in 2-3 months, with coinciMedical School, W., Dec. 19th, 1932. Harley-street, W., Dec. 19th, 1932.
H. D. GILLIES.