The Detroit times., 1909-05-26
HOLDS CLINIC ON
.HODGK|N's DISEASE
Treatment of Rare Malady, Closely
Allied to tuberculosis, Explained
by DR.. McPhedran, of Toronto.

That rare ailment known as Hodg'
kin's disease. which has proven a
good deal OF conundrum TO the med
ical profession, was the subject OF a
highly interesting clinic by Dr. Alex
ander McPhedran, OF Toronto. one OF
Canada's most eminent physicians, IN
Harper hospital, Tuesday morning.
The disease is one rather closely al
lied with tuberculosis and is some
times mistaken for tubercular condi-
ton. DR.. McPhedran, said. Ii mani
tests itself in a swelling OF the glands.
particularly the Emphatic glands in
the neck. and Is accompanied by in
creased temperatures, loss OF appe-
tite and emaciation. The disease is
nearly always fatal, though IL has
yielded. in some instances, TO x-ray
treatment. DR.. McPhedran suggested
the violet ray as more effective. de-
claring that he had used IL with good
results. One patient who came under
his observation was cured in a month
by this means.
Two of the cases brought before the
doctor for demonstration were pro-
nounced by him to be typical cases or
Hodgkins disease In each instance
the victim was a Young man. The neck
OF each was badly swollen and the
glands had become matted and firm.
One OF the unfortunates revealed a
pitifully emaciated chest wien he
stripped off his underwear To submit
to examination.
Another patient was pretty young
girl. IL years old. whose neck was also
badly swollen. In her case the doctor
found strong tendency toward tu-
berculosis
Another patient. woman well
along in years. had contracted Hodg-
kin's disease following an attack OF
tonsiiitis. The glands in her neck had
become very hard and swollen.
There have been only eight cases Of
the disease in Detroit within recent
years, according To local physicians
who attended the clinic OF these four
have died. leaving four still suffering
from the disease. Its progress Is
sometimes very slow and gradual
DIR. McPhedran attacked the theory
entertained by many doctors and pub
lished as gospel in the medical works
that person may be predisposed to
tuberculosis.
That is a much abused expression
and one subject to great deal OF mis-
apprehension he said. One does not
contract tuberculosis because one Is
predisposed to it, as the books say,
but because ones power of resisting
the attacks of disease germs is below
par. A person who Is constitutionauy
weak Is naturally susceptible to those
attacks"
Preceding DR.. McPhedrsn, DR.. J. H.
Carstens performed three operations,
one for floating kidney and two for
pyo-salphiux, showing wonderful
speed in his work. Speed he told the
doctors, was important in performing
operations. for the longer the patient
Is under the anesthetic the greater Is
the danger OF shock, followed the OPP
Grafton. The doctor also wore rubber
gloves during the operations and urg-
ed their use as great precaution
against infection.
One can't work quite as rapidly"
he said, But it is better to sacrifice
just little speed than to run the risk
of becoming infected. 1t is better for
the doctor and better for the patient il
the former wears gloves"
Tuesday afternoon the visiting doc.
tors were escorted through Parke.
Davis & Co.'S laboratory, where dem
onstrations were given OF recent adj
vances in laboratory and research
methods.