The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-02-08

stance which was first described as
vitamin H. 1t is a growth-stimu-
lating factor and also seems to
have some influence on the health
of the skin. 1t was found expert
mentally in animals that If they,
were fed large amounts of raw egg
white, they had symptoms which
were called "egg white injury"
and it was also proved that this
was not due TO the raw egg white
itself, but to the fact that egg
white neutralized the action of
part of the biotin.
These experiments were taken
10 be used as an argument against
the use of raw egg white, as in
eggnogs. l regarded these expert
ments as somewhat theoretical
and not necessarily having a hu-
man application, and / see no spe-
cial reason to change my mind.
In fact, it appears from expert
ments made at Bellevue Hospital
by Doctors Kaplan and Zurrow
that too much biotin may be harm
full and perhaps a little egg white
TO neutralize it would be a good
thing. These New York doctors
observations seem to indicate that
biotin in too large amounts may
produce experimental cancer in
animals.
Cured Without Treatment
There are a few cases Of cancer
IN human beings which have got
we'll spontaneously without treat
ment- In most of these the indi-
vidual acquired an infection. The
idea was suggested to Drs. Kaplan
and Zurrow that perhaps the pres
ence of the bacteria in the infec-
ton neutralized the biotin which
was stimulating the cancer to
growth.
They then attempted to find 4
nominations way by which they
could neutralize biotin in human
cases. They hit on the egg white
experiment and have been trying
its effect on human beings who had
actual cancer. The substance in
egg white which neutralizes biotin
is known as avadin. Drs. Kaplan
and Zurrow have reported on
quite a number of cases of cancer
that have been treated with egg
white therapy or with avadin.
These cases were reported at a
meeting of the Pathological So
eiety Of North America last De-
cember.
Experiments With Egg White
The patients were not treated
With any form of x-ray, radium or
surgery, in order that the expert
rnents might be clear. The treat
ment consisted simply in feeding
each patient at least three dozen
raw egg whites each day. The re-
ports Of the results Of the treat
ment we're quite astonishing. One
patient with a large malignant
g -owth of the tongue improved in
health and general feeling of we'll
being; he also increased in weight.
IN the meantime the growth de-
creased at least one-third in size.
Naturally all physicians are
somewhat critical and skeptical Of
results of this kind. In fact, the
New York doctors themselves are
the first to warn that premature
optimism should not be allowed TO
hold full sway.
At the same time most physi-
clans feel that while the treatment
Of cancer by surgery, x-ray and
radium has made great strides and
is able to cure many cases, if taken
in the early stage, the real, ulti-
mate treatment will be some form
of serum or drug or immuniZing
agent which will curb the tendency
to cell growth in wildly malignant
tumors.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
W. NJ. j.: Does taking one and
sometimes two teaspoonfuls of
baking soda before bed harm q
person? My husband takes it
every evening, regardless of what
he has eaten or how he feels.
Answer: This amount Of baking
soda does no harm to anyone. Bak-
ing soda is simply sodium bicar-
Donate, which is an alkali that
neutralizes acid stomach. IN
doubtedly a person who takes il
in this way has some degree Of
acid stomach and this makes him
.A-,fer&abln AkaA L. -.k -