Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-10-19

Gets Resu|tsof
CancerStudy
Early Diagnosis Gives
Bigger Percentage
Of OperobIe Cases
By George Beveridqe

nave IdlSeQ lTOIn 10 0U per cent
through early diagnosis, the num-
Der Of prostate cancers discovered
which can be operated on with
prospects Of cure, it was reported
today.
DR.. William P. Herbst, con-
sultant in urology at Gallinger
Hospital, discussed the results Of
careful examination for cancer at
session of the District Medical
Society's Scientific Assembly at
the Hotel Statler. The three-day
meeting ends today.
DR.. Herbst explained that by
the time most cancers of the
prostate gland are diagnosed, only
about S per cent are "operable
with prospects of success. Largely
as result of frequent physical
checks of military personnel, he
said the "operability" rate at
Walter Reed has been raised to
about so per cent.
Life Expectancy Increased.
The work has been supervised
by Col. James c. Kimbrough. Wal
ter Reed chief of urology. DR..
Herbst also has been instrumental
in the careful urologic examina-
lions as an Army consultant. DR..
Herbst said similar improvements
could be made universally through
careful examination by private
doctors. The disease hits hardest
at the 60-year-age group.
At the same time. DR.. Herbst
said the life-expectancy of pa
tients with "inoperable" prostate
cancer has been increased about
two years in patients at Gallinger
Hospital through castration and
use of estrogen, the female hor-
none.
DR.. Herbst also discussed in
creased knowledge Of steroids,
chemical substances in the body,
which may lead to unlimited con-
troll over functions Of the body
when their uses are better under
stood.
Hormones Discussed.
DR.. John E. Howard. of Johns
Hopkins Medical School, described
uses Of androgens, the male sex
hormones. to correct deficiencies
OF the hormone. He said impo-
tence may be a result Of androgen
deficiency. but that other causes
are more frequent.
In another talk, DR.. Jean Paul
Pratt. Of the Henry Ford Hospi-
tai, discussed the use of sex hor-
mones in women. The widespread
use Of estrogens has given a false
sense of security that they will
cure all ills OF the menopause IN
women. he said. Emotional fac
tors. he added. play a large part
in such symptoms.
The important medical meet
ing will end with banquet at
7:30 O'Clock tonight, at which Drs.
William j. Mallory and Charles
Stanley White, distinguished
Washington physicians. will be
honored for meritorious service.
Talk on Health Insurance.
At a luncheon meeting today,
doctors also were to hear Repre-
sentative Cunningham. Republi-
can. of Iowa discuss President
Truman's compulsory health in
surance program.
Several hundred persons who
attended a public meeting on polio
last night heard reports of new
progress in growing virus known
to cause polio and which is ex-
pected to speed greatly develop
ment of q vaccine for the dread
disease.
DR.. H. M. Weaver, research di-
rector of the National Foundation
for Infantile Paralysis. said that
during the last several months,
scientists have succeeded, for the
first time, in growing two of the
three known strains of polio virus,
in test tubes. Heretofore, the
virus, vitality needed for work to-
ward a vaccine, could be grown
at great expense only in expert
mental animals.
Dr.. John Enders, professor of
bacteriology at Harvard Medical
School. has succeeded in multi
plying the virus through II sue
cessive test tube cultures. During
the last few weeks, DR.. Weaver
said. DR.. Enders has succeeded
in growing the virus on tissue
taken from living persons.
Eggs May Cheaper Process.
This leads to the hope, DR..
Weaver said, that the virus may
be transplanted to fertile chicken
eggs, which would furnish a cheap,
simple medium for growth.
DR.. Weaver said it also appears
almost certain that the third
known strain of polio virus-not
yet cultivated-also will grow on
the tissue in test tubes.
DR.. Weaver also discussed the
newly discovered virus that causes
a non-paralytic disease similar to
polio. The disease, the symptoms
of which cannot be distinguished
from certain forms of polio. is
known to be responsible for some
OF the increased reports of in
fantile paralysis.
However, DR.. Alex j. Steigman,
consultant for the national foun-
dation. said he does not feel the
number of so-called false polios'
is high. So far this year. he
said. there have been 34,742 cases
of polio reported.
At a session yesterday, DR..
Joseph H. Burchenal, assistant
professor of clinical medicine at
the Cornell University Medical
College, reported new drugs ease
the symptoms of leukemia in
about one of every four cases, but
y