The Washington herald., 1913-03-09
GOVERNMENT TO
TEST THE "CURE"
Officers Sent to New York to
Examine friedman Serum
and Make Report.
SKEPTICAL
Product Cannot Be Shipped Interstate
If Found Harmful or
Dangerous.

| Skeptical OF the euicacy OF the Fried
mann tuberculosis treatment as a cure.
as the result OF confidential reports that
have reached them from official repre-
sentatives in Berlin and from a promi-
nent Western surgeon. who witnessed the
| clinics performed by DR.. Friedman
in New York last Thursday. This sur
geon came to Washington yesterday eN-
pressly to make confidential reports TO
the authorities on the treatment as he
saw 1t administered.
While the Berlin reports. which were
recently received. are understood to be
before the Public Health Service author
| tiles, neither a denial nor a confirmation
Of their existence could be obtained last
night. It was said that the Public
Health Service holds 1t TO be Its duty
to fully investigate the alleged cure on
Its merits, regardless OF reports Of Its
failure or success, and TO withhold. in
the meantime, reports which might
prejudice the public mind and do Dr.
Friedman an injury in case the tests
which are to be conducted in Washing
ton prove successful. The Public Health
Service, accordingly. will occupy In rela-
tion to DR.. Friedman. the position
taken by the Royal Geographic Society
Of Belgium In the Investigation OF DIR.
Frederick Cooks claims that he had dis
covered the north pole. That society
rejected DIR. Cooks claims and this ac-
ton has been generally approved by the
geographic scientific bodies Of the world.
Treatment Is Asked.
The Public Health Service has been
literally swampde by applications Of per-
sons from all parts of the country 20
be first TO obtain the Friedman treat
ment. and inquiries have come from
medical societies and private prac-
titioners from practically all parts OF the
world, seeking information on the re-
suits OF this governments Investigation.
In view of this. the authorities decline
TO express any opinion. but will make
a public statement on the facts developed
by the experiments.
While the merits of the Friedman
cure may be matter OF opinion between
medical scientists. the German doctor
may continue to treat patients even in
case the Public Health Service expert
ments should. prove disappointing. But
DIR. friedman is being put TO an "acid
test by the government. to prove that
the serum is neither harmful nor dan
Gerous. in order to obtain n permit TO
place II on sale in Interstate commerce.
The application for this permit was re-
Ceivcd by Surgeon General Blue. In
response to this request. and conditions
agreed to recently when Surgeon John
+. Anderson conferred with the Berlin
doctor in New York. two surgeons OF
the government service Were dispatched
to New York last night
They are Surgeon Anderson and Passed
Assistant Surgeon Arthur NJ. Stimson.
They will have a conference with DR..
Friedman at his hotel some time TO-
day. DR.. Friedman was informed of the
government regulations concerning the
manufacture and sale Of toxin anti
toxin and virus between States. and he
require a careful scientific examination
Of the place and methods OF manufactur-
ing the product. samples taken from the
laboratory. and samples obtained pro-
miscuously from the market.
A report Of the officers making these
examinations is submitted before the
sanitary board. which is composed OF
five of the highest officers OF the serv-
ice. This board makes recommendations
to the Secretary of the Navy. and the
permit. for one year only, is issued by
him. Each year the permit is extended
only upon the recommendations OF the
board. officers of which have special re-
ports from inspectors who visit the lab
oratory from time to time. and who pur-
chase the product for examination in the
open market. II the samples thus OBJ
tained show potency. impurity, too much
perservative or other Objectionable fea-
lures. the entire lot Is condemned. The
government does not require that a
cure shall actually cure. but II docs
require tnat laboratory conditions be
satisfactory. and that the serum shall
not be dangerous or prove harmful. DR..
Anderson. according TO an arrangement
made with DR.. Friedman. will return
to Washington within few days with
cultures and the formula for their manu-
facturc. He will Immediately manufac-
ture the cultures in the hygenic laboratory
and make experiments for a period of
six or eight wooks on monkeys, guinea
pigs. rats, &c. II the experiments prove
successful. human beings who are suffer
ing from tuberculosis in its various
stages then will be treated. DIR. Ander-
son first will take course of instruc-
tons under DIR. Friedmann, so as to be
able to administer and manufacture II
himself.
DR.. StImson to study.
DR.. Stimson is assigned to taking a
thorough course of instruction under the
Berlin doctor remaining with him six
to eight weeks, to meet the conditions
OF the latter. DR.. Friedman required
the government to make careful study
OF it before attempting its use. Dr.
Stimson will closely study the effect of
the treatment on the patients in New
York. He will make the first reports on
which the government will consider the