Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-28
POSSIBLE CURE
PROF. LEWIS ExPERIMENTs
WITH IODINE I'M TUBERCULOSIS.

Consul Dunning Of Milan has received
numerous communications from the United
States in regard to a reported cure for tu-
berculosis discovered by Prof. Levi OF
Milan. and writes as follows to the Depart
ment Of Commerce and Labor:
"a great deal of interest having been
aroused throughout the world by the report
that Prof Levi Of Milan. Italy. has per-
fected cure for tuberculosis In both hui
mans and animals, 1 believe It proper to
make statement, in order that the hopes
of those suffering with consumption, and of
their friends, may not be too greatly
aroused or too positively gratifed by the
belief that they are about to receive a
sure and lasting cure. In the last few weeks
have received countless letters from
America asking for further information OF
Prof. Lewis investigations, based on news
paper reports printed in the United States,
ana on indefinite hints sent by consuls in
other countries, who have heard Indirectly
of the experiments going on here. All my
correspondents evidently believe the long
wished-for remedy has been found.
THE fact seems to be that Prof Levi,
whom l believe to be a careful and con-
sentative scientist, has been experimenting
for more or less extended period with
iodine, following and extending certain lines
of study which for many years have en-
cein. For loEg time 1t has been a COM
mon belief among a group of the most adj
vanced Italian scientists that iodine prop
erly transformed could be used successfully
to attack tuberculosis in men and animals
The difficulty has been in the process of
transformation by which the iodine Is rem
dered suitable for injection incubation.
Prof. Lewis experiments have dealt solely
with this process, and his secret lies in
the character of the treatment which he
applies to the drug. He believes he has dis
covered the right mixture Whether or not
he has done SO remains to be seen, both by
himself and the public. Only long and ex-
quiSitely cautious experiments can give the
proofs which medical science will rigidly
exact and which Prof Levi himself insists
on obtaining before he makes any further
statement regarding his work. He will not
undertake to create among sufferers with
tuberculosis hopes which his later labors
may show to have been vain, and he de-
cltneS to endanger his own reputa ton by
claiming at this critical stage of his work
results which the final tests may not wholly
justify. American surgeons and scientists
who are familiar with the high character OF
the Italian doctors and with the character
of their work will understand fully the posi-
ton taken by Prof. Levi
Meantime, Prof Levi Is working steadily
toward the ultimate trials of his discovery
and premises to give the world the result
of his laborS at the earliest possible time
He has appriSed the King of Italy of his
intentions and has received the encourage
ment OF the court Continental physicians
are generally awaiting his formal announce
ments At the moment this Is made I shall
communicate with the Department of State,
and until that time advise Americans who
for any reason are interested in the cure
to join with Prof. Levi himself in hoping
for the best, without placing too much
falth on what is at present an uncertain
outcome