Evening star., 1946-10-02
Atomic Energy
Hailed as New
Health Boon
Medical Society ToId
Of Bright Prospects
In Medical Research
By Harold B. Rogers

Benefits from atomic energy for
the future health" of the Amer
ican people are foreseen by high
official of Joint Task Force l, back
from the atom bomb tests at Bikini.
Predicting a very bright and
fruitful future" for use of scientific
tools resulting from development OF
the bomb, Capt. George M. Lyon,
Navy Medical Corps, pointed to the
impending availability of more and
newer radioactive isotopes."
Here we have an entirely, new
tool" he declared, ito use in the
treatment of specific organic or of
particular conditions, such as neo-
plastic diseases" He pointed to pos
sibilities of using it in therapy OF
cancer.
DR.. Lyon discussed the benefits
Of a new era in biological research"
last night before the Scientific AS
sembly of the District Medical So
ciety at the Hotel Statler. He
continued his discussion this morn
ing, taking up the physical aspects
of the atomic bomb explosion and
showing pictures.
Banquet Tonight
The assembly, attended by about
1000 doctors, nurses and members
of the allied professions, will close
with a banquet tonight. The speak
er will be Maj. Gen. Alden H. Watt,
chief of the Chemical Corps.
High-lighting the program today
was to be Rear Admiral William s.
Parsons, deputy commander for
technical direction. Joint Task
Force No. /, speaking at luncheon
sponsored by the Georgetown Uni
versity Medical Alumni Associa-
ton.
Capt. Lyon last night quoted
from what he said was hitherto
unpublished report Of scientists.
"It is probable that the exploita-
ton of atomic energy as a tool for
research will outweigh the benefits
to be derived from the availability
Of a new source of power"
"It should be understood" he con-
tinued to quote, that work specifi-
cally focused on atomic power need
not and should not interfere with
making available to biology, medi-
cine. chemistry and physics the
radiations and activities characters
tic Of this field. - We should not
be astonished il the greatest bene-
fit Of this program were in fact to
be in therapy for some OF the neo-
plastic diseases, such as cancer, or
in the increased understanding of
biological systems or Of the realities
Of the physical world which will, in
turn, open up new fields of human
endeavor. -
D. -see Biochemieal Aids.
Most Of the older scientists he had
talked to, DR.. Lyon said. felt that
the earliest positive contribution
will come in the form of information
gained from a clearer understanding
Of the biochemical processes within
the body, including those of metabol-
ism, of the endocrine glands and pos
sible even immunology."
Pointing to the safety measures
at the Bikini blast, Capt. Lyon said
the success of the program there in
protecting personnel should offer q
great measure of comfort to those
who have exaggerated ideas as tc
the super colossal aspects of the
weapon"
DR.. John A. Kolmer, professor o1
medicine at Temple University, told
the assembly the drug streptomycin
had undoubtedly proven helpful
in treatment of different types OF
tuberculosis, especially when used
in conjunction with two sulfa
drugs, promin and diasone. Out OF
100 cases so treated. he said, 40 to
so per cent had shown improve
ment or healing" Such treatment
however, he said, was expensive
costing between $4,000 and $4,000
over a period of two or three
months.
Characterizing formation of blood
clots and their movement through
the veins Of patients after opera
tions as "the dark cross in surgery
for many decades" DR.. Kaare K
Nygaard of White Plains, N Y, for
merly of Oslo, Norway, reported
success in the treatment of this So
called "thrombo- -embolism" by use
of the drugs heparin or dicoumarol
DR.. j. Ross Veal of Georgetown
University School of Medicine dis
cussed surgical treatment for the
same disorder.
Others on this panel included DR.
Hugh H. Hussey and DR.. Thomas F
Keliher, both of Georgetown Uni
versity, and DIR. Andrew G. Pran-
doni, formerly of Walter Reed Hos
pital.