Bridgeton pioneer., 1913-05-22
FRIEDMAN ''CURE"
DEPENDED ON,
Report of Experts Is Unfavor-
able to Turtle Serum
For tuberculosis.
T<HE governments first officia.

report on DR.. Friedrich Franz
Friedmanns turtle serum rem
edy for tuberculosis is not re-
garded as favorable to the German
physician, whose declaration that he
had cure for the white plague was
received with joy by thousands.
The report, which is based on find
ings of experts of the United States
public health service, was read at the
annual meeting of the National Asso-
citation For the Study and Prevention
of tuberculosis. The association met
In Washington.
The report in effect warns the public
against placing too much confidence in
the Friedman serum and advises
tuberculosis sufferers to continue the
regulation treatment prescribed by the
best physicians today.
The opinion of the experts was an
nounced after they had investigated
thoroughly ninety-four cases of tuber-
culosis treated by DR.. friedman in
New York. The result Of the serum
treatment in those cases "does not jus
tify the confidence in this remedy
which has been inspired by wide
spread publicity" in the language of
the report.
This first official opinion from the
government authorities was accepted
at once by the association as Just
grounds for the passage of a resolu-
ton warning the people against being
led astray by improved claims.
DR.. Charles L. Minor Of Asheville.
N. c., opposed the action on the
ground that it was not strong enough
in cOndemning Dr. Friedman and his
methods.
Text of Resolution.
The resolution finally adopted by the
association, which is composed of ply
sicians and others who have been lead
ing in the crusade against the white
plague in this country, is:
Whereas, Widespread publicity has been
given to the claims Of an alleged cure for
tuberculosis,
Resolved, That there is no information
before the National Association For the
Study and Prevention Of tuberculosis to
justify the belief that any specific cure for
tuberculosis has been discovered which de-
serves the confidence of the medical pro-
fession or the people; and,
Resolved, That it is the duty of the pub
lie to continue unabated all the present
well tried agencies for the treatment and
prevention of tuberculosis.
The governments report was read
by DR. John T. Anderson, chairman OF
the board appointed to investigate the
cure" In his statement he detailed
the history of DR.. Friedmann's visit to
this country and the governments ne
gotiations with him. DR.. Anderson
said that DR.. friedman willingly fur
nished culture of the organism in his
serum, but declined to divulge the
method of its use in the preparation of
the remedy and would make no def
mite statement as to the antecedents of
the culture
DR.. Anderson paid high tribute to
the authorities of the New York hos
pitals for their assistance in impartial
ly conducting the investigations. Up
to April Is ninety-four patients receiv-
ed the first injection, and it then be-
came necessary to inform DR.. Fried
mann that on account Of the hating
progress in the demonstrations the
board was forced to limit its studies
to these patients.
Few Second Treatments.
DR.. Friedman was informed also
that in the interest Of the demonstra-
tion these patients should be seen by
him with view to giving such addi-
donal injections as he deemed neces-
sary to effect cure. Up to the time
the report was prepared only FIVE of
these patients had received second
injection. The report continues:
1--WE believe that at the present time
we are not in a position to express an
opinion based on the present condition
Of patients under observation.
"The disease for which the remedy
Is used is prolonged and is character
lied by periods Of advancement and
retrogression. 1t is also one in which
psychic influences are a powerful fac
tor
"Time is therefore necessary In order
to properly evaluate the effect of thera-
peutic measures.
1--WE must not lose sight of the pos
sible therapeutic value of the prepara-
ton, and, on the other hand, it is nee
sary to guard against too great an op-
timism In respect to its merits. With
out presenting in detail the condition
of patients under observation we are
in position to state that the effects
thus far observed do not justify the
confidence in the remedy which has
been inspired by widespread publicity.
IN our opinion, harm may have been
done by this undue publicity in so far
as 1t has lessened the confidence of
tuberculous persons in we'll recognized
methods of treatment or interrupted
their use, and we are constrained to ad-
wise against any lessening of those well
known measures which not only have
effected cures, but which have reduced
the incidence of the diSaasa