New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-02
DOUBTS FRIEDMAN CURE
"AmeriCan Medicine" Severely
Arraigned Doctors Methods.
OBJECTS TO HIS SECRECY
Turtle Germ Physician Post
pOnes Seton Clinic-Defect
in Incubator, He Says.

The leading editorial in American
Medicine" for March. issued yesterday.
Is severe arraignmcnt of Or. Friedrich
Franz friedman and his methods in ex-
plotting his turtle germ tuberculosis treat
ment here. While in the Introductory re-
marks II is said I'VE have no desire to
judge harshly or TO extend the slightest
disoourtesy to this visitor 20 our shores"
the article goes on 10 characterize his
conduct as that purely of commercial
Ism. The editorial says in part:
AT the outset let it be said that the
one Objectionable feature of Dr. Fried
mann's treatment is the secrecy which he
has maintained concerning its exact char
acter. In all kindness and sincerity We
believe that this is contrary to the true
principles of medicine. No physician has
"A right TO employ an uncertain and posi-
bly, dangerous remedy in the treatment Of
disease in human beings until he knows
all tnat anybody knows concerning It's
composition. character and action.
For this reason no physician can in
dorse or employ Dr. Fr!edmann's serum
so long as he maintains the slightest Sc
effect Let it not be understood that we
are denying DR.. Friedmann's right as an
individual or business man 10 protect his
interests by keeping his remedy secret.
If he thus sees tit. But Dr. friedman in
announcing his treatment did 80 as A
physician-a professional gentlcman-and
not as a business man"
Discussing his remedy from the scien-
tific point of view. the article expresses
grave doubts that Or Friedmann's cult
ures. or vaccine of turtle tubercle bacllli,
can accomplish anything in well advanced
cases of pulmonary tuberculosis" since it
has been demonstrated that the rapid pro-
gressive features Of this form Of the disease
are due to~secondary mixed infections. and
that. therefore. one serum could not COM
bat them all Medical men, the article
says. should. therefore. bc active in pre-
venting the spread of false hopes
Or. F'riedmann through one Of his rep
resentatives. yesterday sought to ailay
suspicious Of commorcialism against him
by the issuance Of denial that his rela-
tions with members of drug syndicate.
said 10 bc preparing to take over his
treatment LOT IlhlhtA4IHs Nflf any Nllilit
more than social.
He also announced that he would be
unable to go on with the tests Of his treat
ment to-day. as planned at Seton Hos
pital under government supervision. owing
to n defect IN his incubator which pre-
vented him from turning out the required
supply He declared however that he
would hold the clinic within n week.
\ physician acquainted with Friedman
and G. j.. Finlay. whose million dollar
offer brought friedman 10 this country.
said yesterday that all conversant
with the case were aware the gov
eminent doctors We're going to make an
adverse report and that plans were be-
Ing developed for distributing 1t indie
pcndently.
Or. Friedman made q denial that tho
vaccine had It's basis in human germs
originally introduced into the turtle. say
Ing that Il was derived from turtle germs
and nothing else.
\ letter nom tn four children Of
woman suffering from tuberculosis. az
present "a 'rut iu seton Hospital but
not vet s.l,, .d Tor the government tests.
so touched toe associates OF Or. Fried
mann yesterday that they said they were
going 10 make every effort to have her
treated az the clinic.