davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1933-02-15
THREE NEW NERVE
PD|SONS ARE FOUND
kealth Institute Announce.
Hent Follows Study of
"Jake Paralysis"
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

Discovery Of three hitherto unknown
nerve poisons, each with its own re-
markable specific effect ON some part
Of the nervous system and each almost
duplicating in its effect a different
disease, was announced today by the
National Institute of Health of the
Public Health Service.
The discovery grew out of investiga-
tions of the weird Jake paralysis" which
broke out three years ago in several
parts Of the country among persons
who drank Jamaica ginger extract be-
cause of its big alcoholic content. 1t
was found that the Jamaica ginger had
been adulterated with a chemical sub
stance known as tri-ertho-cresyl phes-
phate, which is used extensively in the
paint industry. 1t produced a condi-
ton known as multiple peripheral
neuritis, the clinical picture of which
was quite close to that of poliomyelitis,
or infantile paralysis.
Following this lead, experiments were
undertaken with slight chemical varia-
lions of this formula. 1t was known
that very similar substances had been
used in medicine for many years with
out bad effects and that theoretically
they should be harmless. But one
variation, tri-ortho-cresyl phosphite,
which was close to the ginger adulter-
ant. was found to be terrible poison"
compared with which the multiple
neuritis producer was mild.
Conditien Like Locomotor Ataxia.
This produced In animals a condi-
Ton which was practically indistin-
guishable from the dread locemotor
a6axia In human beings, which is
caused BY an invading organism which
stacks the nervous system. In loco
motor ataxia, the organisms attack
specifically certain tracts in the spinal
cord which convey to the brain i'm
pulses of the so-called muscle sense
by means of which bodily movements
are ce-ordinated. AS result the VIC
tim has no control over body move
ments. Now, it was found, this new
poison also attacked tracts carrying
these muscle sense impulses to the
brain, but not the same tracts as are
put out Of commission In locomotor
ataxia.
This poison also attacked tracts
carrying motor impulses from parts of
the brain to various levels Of the spinal
cord, where they form connections with
other nerve cells which 60 directly to
the muscles. The first are the upper
motor neurons. 1t did not attack the
second set of motor cells, the lower
motor neurons.
The eventual result was a condition
similar to what is known to physiolo-
gtsts as "decerebrate rigidity" The
limbs remained stretched out and stiff.
They could not be moved. But the
chest and diaphragm did not appear
at all affected by the paralysis. The
animal continued to breath normally.
This is almost precisely the effect,
It was explained, that is obtained with
dogs and cats when the brain is cut
of approximately through the center
Of the section known as the pons in
Evening star., 1933-02-15

the brain stem. When this operation
is performed skillfully an animal will
live The brain can be cut of at any
point until a section Is reached which
regulates breathing, lying in the
medulla Just above the spinal cord.
Animal Remains Conscious.
The difference bstween the effect of
the poison and that which follows a
brain operation was that the animal
remained perfectly conscious. With the
brain removed it could feel no pain or
receive consciously any sensory i'm
pulses of any kind. But these animals
remained conscious to touch, tempera-
ture and pain. These impulses are
carried to the brain by different spinal
cord tracts than those which convey
the muscle sense impulses. The tracts
carrying those sensory impulses by
which an animal retains its contact
with the outside world We're unin-
jured by the poison. 1t simply could
not move.
The paralyzed animals eventually
die, the apparent cause of death being
the weirdest of all the effects of the
poison. 1t has no effect on movement
above the neck The animals can
chew and swallow food and appear not
uncomfortable. But eventually there
is a sudden drop In body temperature,
followed by death. The apparent ex-
planation is that the poison finally at
taeks that part of the brain in the
Evening star., 1933-02-15

perimental animals essentially the IN
fantile paralysis condition.
M0re FYnerimentS Planued

peximental animals essentially the IN
fantile paralysis condition.
More Experiments Planned
The discoveries may be of far-reach-
ing significance, even apart from the
new tool placed In the hands Of expert
mental medicine by which conditions
characteristic of human diseases can
be reproduced under experimental con-
ditions. They show, with perhaps the
greatest minuteness yet achieved, the
delicate and specific relationship exist
ing between chemical substances and
body tissues. The chemical differences
of the three substances are very slight.
Nerve tissue throughout the body Is
essentially identical. Yet one poison
attacks only nerve cells with one spe-
eific function and leaves all the rest
alone. Another poison attacks nerve
cells with another function, and so on.
In view of this extreme specificity,
experiments are planned with other
closely related chemical substances in
the hope that something may be found
with just as specific, but beneficial, ef-
fects. Also the investigators may be
on the track of some general law OF
chemical and body cell affinity. The
work was carried out by DR.. Maurice
l. Smith. pharmacologist Of the Public
Health Service, and the investigation
required nearly three years since the
arst clue was obtained from the "jake
paralysis" cases.
Evening star., 1933-02-15

From these cells fihers descend through
the spinal cord. At various levels In the
cord these fibers form connections with
a second set of neurons which convey
motor impulses to the muscles of the
trunk and the limbs. 1t Is the nerve
cells of these lower neurons which are
attacked by the triphenyi phosphate
first those concerned with movement
of the legs and then, progressively and
rapidly, with those concerned with
higher movements. Unlike the effect
OF the first poison. the paralyzed limbs
are not rigid but flaccid. There is no
interference with sensory impulses.
The third poison studied was the
specific substance of the Jake
paralysis" This is the mildest of the
three and the effect also Is specific and
different Here the first attack Is on
the myelin sheath, a coating of 'in-
sulating" material which covers the
nerve fbers, or the nerve threads which
run from the cells of the lower motor
neurons in the anterior horn of the
spinal cord to the muscles. Later 1t
attacks the nerve cells themselves. The
effect is similar to that of infantile
paralysis, but the process is exactly the
reverse The poliomyletis organism
first attacks the anterior horn cell it
self and afterward spreads to the
coating of the fibers. The discovery
makes 1t possible to reproduce in ex-
Evening star., 1933-02-15

thalamus which regulates body tenn
perature and the warm -blooded animal
becomes, to all intents, 9 cold -biooded
animal. The experimenters feel that
by regulating the heat Of the environ
ment the animal might be kept alive,
This strange poison has latent
period of about week before which
the animal shows no symptoms. Al
though apparently one of the most ter
rible poisons yet discovered, this sub
stance may have distinct value. For
the first time it makes possible the
essential duplication of such a disease
as locomotor ataxy in animals, where
it can be studied under controlled con-
ditions
The second poison, only slight
chemical variation from the lake
paralysis" substance, also has a specific,
but quite different, effect on the nervous
system. 1t practically duplicates an
obscure disease known as "Landrys
paralysis" which in human beings
starts with a paralysis of the legs and
goes rapidly upward until the breath
ing muscles are paralyzed, causing
death.
Paralyzed Limbs Flaccid.
The specific effect is on the nerve
cells of the lower motor neurons III
the anterior horn of the spinal cord.
There are two sets of neurons involved
in any conscious movement. The hrst
set have their nerve cells in the brain.
Evening star., 1933-02-15
CUBA REMEMBERS MAINE

HAVANA, February Is (R.-cuba's
commemoration of the sinking of the
United States warship Maine in Havana
harbor 35 years ago centered today at
the monument on the Malecon in honor
of the 253 officers and men who were
lost.
A military parade, placing Of a
wreath at the monument by American
Ambassador Guggenheim and the drop
ping of flowers from planes were high
lights on the program.
Evening star., 1933-02-15
ALABAMA REPEAL LOST
Senate 28 to 8 Against LegaMzing
Alcoholic Beverage.

MONTGOMERY, Ala, February Is
R.-Alsbamas Senate yesterday re-
afirmed it's prohibition stand by defeat
ing, Is to 8. a bill to repeal the States
dry laws and legalize the sale Of any
alcoholic beverage permitted by Con-
gress.
Both Houses adopted resolutions urg-
ing President-elect Franklin D. Roose-
velt to appoint Representative Henry B..
Steagan of Alabama as Secretary Of
the Treasury in the Roosevelt cabinet.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-01
A CHARTER FOR CAPITAL

IT has been our American custom to concern
= ourselves, at intervals, over corruption in
politics, but to ignore entirely the abuses in
business which touch our personal lives much
more closely.
Today NRA is undertaking the economic
housekeeping task which has been neglected
for so long, and the public is beginning to
realize how much unnecessary hardship it
has endured. Before the job is finished it may
prove of far more significance than the spec
tacular emergency work of the recovery pro-
gram.
The six classes of unfair trade practice just
condemned by NF2A hint at what has been go
ing on in business to the detriment both
of business and it's customers. The first rule
prohibits inaccurate advertising and other
Misrepresentation of commodities, credit
terms, values, policies and services. 1t con-
dennis misbranding and batting" of customers
with misleading sales methods. Under other
headings NRA attacks secret rebates CONNER
cial bribery, including the rendering of in
accurate bills, and forced purchase of one
article by purchase of another.
Business, itself, has suffered from these
abuses almost as much as the public, but in
the past has found it impossible to correct
them. Led to the brink of ruin by cut-throat
competition, business began years ago to de-
mand that it be given a chance to clean up
itself without having to fear the operation of
antitrust laws.
The industrial recovery act gave business
the opportunity it wanted and it has set about
the task. To the credit of business the prac-
tees listed by NRA are forbidden in most
codes of fair competition thus far drafted.
NRA is watching to see that important points
are not overlooked and that the rules are
lived up to after they once are made.
Having classified and made uniform unfair
trade practices, MIRA probably will do the same
thing for cost accounting, so that customers
and competitors both may be protected against
loading up cost accounts with excessive
charges
The two things should mean billions of dol
lars saved each year to the American public,
when it is able to distinguish for itself what
products are worth the price charged and
what ones are not.
The probable benefits to business are not
limited to freedom from unfair competition.
1t will find that if confidence replaces JUS
titled cynicism on the part of the customer its
ledgers will record the change in substantial
rows of black figures.
Anarchy in business is as destructive as an
archy in government would be. American eco
nomic life may find in NRA a new chapter of
integrity on which to build sound future pros
perity.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-01
M. E.Tracy Says:

TTNHERE is, think, no such animal as Stabil-
Il lied consumption, wherefore there can't be
any such animal as stabilized production.
Even the amount of water we drink shows a
tendency to f1uctuate.
At one time you find people drinking quart
or so each day on the theory that it is desirable
to wash out the kidneys At another time,
you find them getting along with a single glass,
or none at all, save what goes with tea coffee,
or soda pop on the theory that water is fat
tening
Inventions, fads, the itch to try substitutes
and the tyrannical rule Of that curious abstrac-
ton which we call style are forever playing
havoc with our economic structure.
AS congressman said last winter, the cotton
problem would be solved if every Chinaman
could be persuaded to add one inch to his shirt
tail
You can't boom the wheat market on a re-
ducing diet or build up the textile industry with
short lightweight dresses.
The real catch in the problem is that by the
time we have brought production down to fit
such conditions bread and long shirts may
have come into fashion once more.
A LOT of men are going without hats these
N days leave it to the brain trust whether
this is due to low finances or a popular whim.
rise in the cigaret trade has diverted GER
tain amount of business from candy kitchens.
Who saw it coming, and who can tell how long
it will last?
Emotionalism plays a big part in determining
not only our cultural and recreational wants but
our existence wants We used to classify ba-
nanas as a luxury, but just now we regard them
as a necessity. 1t is conceivable that we'll
directed advertising campaign mlght TURN US
against wheat in favor of rye or barley.
The first linen mill in this country has just
been opened at Chicago. Who knows what they
may mean to the cotton crop? Back in Babylon,
linen furnished cloth for the common herd,
while cotton was the aristocrat wearing apparel
nifty years ago horse raising and the livery
stable constituted one of our great industries
Suppose we had tried TO stabilize conditions on
the assumption that it would continue.
Thirty years ago we looked upon the rail-
roads as threatening our political and economic
liberties We were all het up over the idea OF
curling them, lest they run away with our
banks legislatures and courts. Now we are Won
dering how to protect them from trucks, pipe
lines and waterways.
At the moment we embarking on a great
adventure to show power companies how cheaply
electricity can be produced. Before We get
through some genius may have discovered con-
traption that will make efforts look like 80
cents.
Asserting that this is a mechanical age, we
are stubborn about admitting that most of its
problems are mechanical, preferring to trust a
statute rather than a new gadget. Above all
else We are stubborn about admitting the vari-
ability in consumption and production which
arises from nothing except the unexplained
whims and vagaries Of human nature.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-01
WEDNESDAY. NOV. /. 1898.
PUBLIC WORKS

DRESIDENT ROOSEVELT and Interior
Secretary Harold Ickes are reported con-
sidering a request to congress for an additional
81 700 900 900 for public works. This would
bring the federal fund up to the $1,000 100000
urged by Progressive senators, the American
Federation of Labor, economists and others.
Out Of the $4,000 100000 voted for public
works under the NRA some $21120O0,O0O has
been allotted for federal and non-federal works.
At the present rate the entire fund will be ap-
portioned by Jan. l. Thousands of worthy
projects are before the public works admins
tration OF these there are enough sound
enterprises to use of $4,000 100000 additional.
While private capital remains timid, public
spending should go forward at an increased
tempo. 1t is important, however, that the
spending be of the right sort. We are sur
feited with pork barrel federal buildings. We
have about reached the saturation point on
roads and waterways. We have spent enough
for the present on reclamation works.
We have not driven with enough will and
wherewithal for that type of building certain
to bring back the quickest returns in prosperity
and human misunderstanding the Ameri-
can masses in decent homes.
Just as the sudden development of the
automobile pulled America out OF the last de-
preston so may a nationwide rehousng
movement help bring prosperity now. This
means not only razing and rebuilding the
100000 American homes" in the bghted
Stun areas of our cities. It also means public
parks and Fairgrounds wider streets and
boulevards and ample city entrances and exits
the decentralization of industry. 1t means,
in short, the remaking of American cities into
comfortable and healthful abodes.
This type of construction is unique in that
it gives men work and stimulates the heavy
industries and at the same time creates new
standards, new wants, new markets Every
dollar sown in rehoustng brings crop of many
dollars
That the government proposes to lead this
movement is shown by its creation of the new
federal housing corporation. Through this the
government can build houses just as for
twenty years, it has built reclamation works
for its citizens.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-01
The Case of DR.. Athearn
An Editorial

called that Butler has had two presidents in
five years ana now is about to have another,
if flrst-class educator can be found who will
take the job.
There is only one way to run college and
that is to hire a good president and give him
full responsibility. Meddlesome committees of
local trustees invariably cause trouble Their
intentions may be of the best, but most of
them are made up of successful business men
who merely are titillating their personal van
ity by their connection with an educational
institution.
Not one of them would dare try to oper-
ate locomotive pulling a string of passenger
coaches although this would be simple COM
pared to the administration of a university at
a time when the world needs free and I'M
trammeled education above all else
Unfortunately college presidents are
human. Sometimes it is necessary to remove
them, but such removal should be only after
the most careful weighing of the facts by the
entire board of trustees and not by a local
committee of three.
Evidently Messrs. Brown, Miller and John
son regard Butler as some sort of private pad
dock in which their rangings to and fro are
none of the public's business. The public in
terest is distinctly involved in their contro-
versy with DR.. Athearn.
Butler has a considerable property which is
exempt from local taxes. Therefore every
taxpayer is involved directly because he is
helping support the university. His taxes are
higher by reason of Buffers exemption. Any
taxpayer may, with complete propriety in
quire concerning the administration of an in
stitution which is costing him money.
If Messrs. Brown, Miller and johnson have
real case against Dr.. Athearn they should
promptly and fully state it. Their explana-
lions thus far have been most inadequate. If
they remain silent or give vent to further
vague remarks along the "good-of- the-servce"
line they are placing Butler in sorry posi-
ton before the judgment seat of public
opinion.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-01
NO REVOLUTION

A THOUGH it has become the fashion to
speak of the recovery program as a kind
OF revolution, no one who looks into the mat
ter closely can fail to see that basically it
really is a conservative proposition.
The truth of this statement can be tested
by looking at the very obstacles which are
slowing up the progress of recovery.
First among these obstacles no doubt is
the fact that the owner of capital still is a
bit skittish about putting his money to work.
His fear of imitation would seem to have been
quieted by the fortnight manner in which
the gold question is being handled but he still
is afraid that he will not be able to make q
profit on the employment of his money, and SO
he is hanging back.
In the past, depression ended when the
chance to make money began to reappear in
commerce and industry. We are trying to
end this one in the reverse ORDERLY putting
unemployment and increased wages first and
trusting that profit will follow in the natural
sequence
Owners of capital are not yet persuaded
fully that the profit actually will appear on
schedule. Furthermore, witnessing the vast
sums that are being spent, and considering
the heavy taxes that will have to be levied
ultimately to meet these expenses they are
afraid of what may happen to their profit
when it does appear.
Consequently, capital in the main is hest
tant, and the recovery program does not make
the speed we should like
Yet all this fear Of capital, and the efforts
of government to provide reinsurance, add
up to Just one thing: The fact that the new
deal is. at bottom. conservative and not revo-
lutionary.
Notice this for example: The entire re-
covery program still depends on the profit
motive-the distinctive feature of the CAPT
talistic system as we have known it. There
is no hint that the profit motive is to be
shelved.
Capital may be heSitant, fearing that the
scheme may not work out we'll; but it isn't
running for the storm cellar. as it would if it
foresaw any intention to do away with the
rules under which profit is possible.
Could there be a better indication that the
administration seeks to change our existing
order as little as poSsbleP 1t is stalking its
entire program on the belief that the conf
dence of capital investors can be restored.
If its program had a revolutionary tinge
that point would not bother 1t for moment.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-01

DEOPLE the world over are awed
L by one of the most remarkable
cases of surgery, in which an en-
tire lung was removed and the pa
tient lives to tell the tale.
Just as striking as this unique
operation is the fact that the pa
tent was a 3-year-old child, Doris
Yost of Keyser, w. Va. Dr. William
F. Rienhof, Jr., Of Johns Hopkins
hospital, at Baltimore, found that
a cancer in the passage to the girls
left lung was growing so danger
Gus that it soon would block of her
windpipe and strangle her.
A few months previous, another
surgeon had removed lung success
fully from an older person, and
so DR.. Rienhof decided this was
the only way to save the life OF
Doris. The child is back home, liv-
ing an apparently normal life, With
use of only her right lung.
Until recently, surgeons have been
able to remove one lobe of lung
or even two lobes of the right lung
which has three. But this is only
the second time an entire lung has
been removed, and the first time the
removal was attempted in child.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-01
A BOOMERANG

4 STORY from Chicago says that authori-
ties in the ten Western conference uni
versities are growing disguised over the way
in which alumni are yelling for the scalps of
football coaches whose teams are not doing as
well as was expected this fall.
1t is implied that these universities will
take drastic steps to "de-emphasize" football
unless this clamor lets up
Its all right to have enthusiasm for foot
ball. one faculty representative is quoted as
saying, "but to let it run away with you is
something else again. . After all, you know,
football is just sport not college edu-
cation
Right here the dilemma of the big uni
versity in connection with football is appar-
ent That football enthusiasm does run away
with alumni each year is obvious; so, too, is
the fact that many alumni make spectacles of
themselves in their demands for an unbroken
string of victories.
But when you build an enormous stadium,
hire a big coaching staff, and conduct your
football program in major league style, you are
asking for that kind of enthusiasm. You can't
make your investment pay if you don't get it.
Rabid alumni are an inseparable part of
big time" college football