The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-03
OF MEDICAL MEN
Baltimore Physicians SkepticaI
Over the New Elixir.
The Stimulating Effect of Salt on the
Human Heart Well known for
RejuNenator-The Case of
eX-Mayor Hewitt, of New York.

BALTIMORE, Jan. 3--Baltlmore physi-
clans are inclined to take somewhat Of q
humorous view Of the story sent out from
New York on Tuesday about the wonderful
reyiyifying powers OF an elixir of life"
which certain doctors of Chicago claim to
have discovered
What attracted special newspaper at
tention to the story was the fact that the
elixir" has been used upon ex-Mayor
Abram s Hewitt, OF New York, with what
are claimed 10 be really wonderful results.
The eX-Ena yor is seventy-uine years old
and had been ailing for some time, finding
difficulty in walking, that now that a
quantity Of the preparation has been in
jec-ed into his system he Is reported to be
going TO and fro in Gotham with a clear
ness Of eye and elasticity of step which
would lead one 10 believe that the old
gentleman has ujst begun to enjoy life.
Profs- Loeb and Lingle, Of the Universe
y Of Chicago, are heralded as the discov-
erers Of the substitute for the waters CT
the fountain OF youth.
Another investigator, who was said to
have preceded the Windy City men in The
researches that established the efficacy Of
salt in heart action. is Prof. William II.
Howell. OF the Johns Hopkins University
Prof Howell was seen al his home last
night and firmly denied that there had
been any startling discovery of the nature
stated by the New York papers and
seemed grieyed that his name should be
mentioned in connection herewith Be
y0ad this he would say nothing.
Dr- George J. Preston, a specialist in
nervous diseases and one of the best
posted physicians in the city on that sub
ject, vas asked ABOUT the elixir
There IS absolutely nothing new in the
application OF sodium phosphate or even
the SlyeerC- phosphate Of sodium. They
have been known for years as stimulants
for the heart and the excitement over
their application in the ease Of Mr.. Hewitt
seems UuWarranted- suspect that some
body hiss gotten hold Of the New York
newspaper men and sprung an old story
On them for braGd-Hew discovery. About
four years ago sodium phosphate attracted
special attention and IS really a useful
salt ia many cases. but I hardly think il
viii make life perpetual I had a pa
uent 70 return from Paris recently and
bring prescription he thought had done
him good and might be new TO ne but
when / read It over I found that phosphate
Of sodium was the principal Ingredient
Dr. Randolph Wilslow. a professor at
the University Of Maryland said:
I know nothing in regard TO the appli-
cation OF the giycerO-p phosphate of sodium
in such cases as that Of ex-AIayor Hew-
it, Of New York. but 1t IS well known
that the infusion Of q normal salt solution
into the veins of subcutareous tissues in
cases Of great prostration from exhaus-
ton diseases is followed by the most
gratifying results Also where there has
been d great loss Of blood and In condition
Of shock from surgical operations or iniu-
ries the use Of salt solution by infusion is
very ef6caCiOus-''
Dr. Charles W Mitchell dean OF the
medical faculty Of the University Of Ma
ryland, said:
of course I know nothing of the case
except what I saw in the newspapers.
but the applica ton Of sodium phosphate
and elycerO-p phosphate OF sodium is by no
means startling They have been used for
several years a. heart stimulants. 4 nor
NAL salt solution as an infusion into the
veins of those who have suffered great
loss Of blood is a common occurrence in
surgery. A few years ago sodium phos-
phate came into prominence through Prof
Brown Sequard and his animal extract
theories. but there is no reason why it
should be exploited at this time"
Dr.. Thomas Opie dean of the faculty Of
the College Of Physicians and Surgeons
said
i know nothing about the treatment
received by Mr. Hewitt except what
see IN the papers and that is not enough
uUon which 10 base an estimate Doctors
are very chary about adopting innoya-
tions until they have been proved by con
slant repetition to be improvements. 7 he
fact that Mr.. Hewitt is so much better
may be a mere coincidence, and his bet
Ter state Of health attributable to some