The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-07
CHEMOTHERAPY OF THE FLU

CHEMOTHERAPY OF THE FLU
 Since the development of drugs of the sulfanilamide group interest in chemotherapy (treatment of dis ease with chemical substances) has increased more than at any other time since Ehrlich introduced sal varsan ("6 SD which, old timers will recall, at first purported to cure syphilis with one dose. As it be- came evident that salvarsan would not cure syphilis in one dose, in six doses, in forty doses, altho it was and is a useful remedy in the treat ment of syphilis, medical interest ill chemotherapy cooled down, perhaps too much.
 A serious drawback about the ad- ministration of sulfanilamide, sllfa- pyradine and sulfathiazole in suffi- cient doses to subdue or stop infec- tion is the tendency of these chem icals to destroy red corpuscles and produce alarming anemia. Notwith- standing this risk, physicians find that the judicious use of these drugs, with the patient under con- stant observation and preparations at hand for transmission of blood if necessary to combat the grave all- emia, seems to bring recovery in cases that under ordinary treat ment would probably terminate fa- tally.
 The blood of a flu patient during the acute illness has no protective power against flu but blood or blood serum taken after convalescence from the acute illness has such remedial or protective power. As yet, however, no vaccine, serum or antitoxin against the flue has been found of practical benefit.
 At University of Pennsylvania re- search workers have succeeded in photographing flu virus by means of the electron microscope. Whether this step in advance will lead to de- velopment of an effective vaccine or serum it is impossible to foresee.
 The best prophylactic and the best remedy we have against flu and grip at present is quinine, in my opinion. As time tried and uni versally accepted prophylactic against influenza, grip and cri c'colds" to the unteachable), the proper dose is one grain of quiline sulfate Gin pill, tablet, capsule or other form three times day to a child weighing 50 pounds, two grains three times a day for person weighing 100 pounds, three grains three times a day for person weighing 15O pounds, for the dura- tion of the epidemic, whether the disease is epidemic in the commun- ity for days or weeks. ,. -.
 Hitherto we have been completely at loss to account for the action of quinine as a prophylactic and a remedy for such illnesses. Since the efficacy of the sulfanilamide group of drugs against such diseases as meningitis, pneumonia and types of hemolytic streptococcus infections has been established, it seems req sonable to ascribe the protective and curative value of quinine to similar action-that is, quinine probably renders blood and tissues unfavOr- able for the growth of the virus or germs of the respiratory infections, altho it is not antiseptic or germici- dal. In other words quinine pro- phylaxis and treatment is form of chemotherapy that has held world wide popularity for many years.
 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
 Two Near-Sighted Parents
 If two near-sighted people marry are their children likely to inherit near-sightedness? (M. R. W)
 Answer-Yes. The normal wife of a near-sighted husband may have some myopic (near-sighteD sons, but no near-sighted daughters, but the daughters may transmit near sightedness to their sons, not to their daughters. At least this is the observation of geneticists.
 Bursitis
 Please let me know just what bur- sits is. There is great pain in the shoulder. "A. l.. O.
 Answer-You put 1t mildly. A bursa is a pad or sac, perhaps be- tween a tendon and bony promi- hence. Such pads or sacs are found in various place%for instance one