Evening star., 1949-10-18
More Research
On Causesof
Cancer Urged
industrial Hazards
Cited at Meeting
Of Medical Society
By George Beveridge

py 9eoI9e OeVetiu9e
Increased research on indus
trial hazards as possible causes
of cancer was urged by a National
Cancer Institute leader today as
a means of preventing the dread
disease.
DR.. William C. Hueper, who re-
Gently organized a laboratory at
Georgetown University Medical
School for such a study, outlined
his work at the second meeting
of the District Medical Society's
Goth annual scientific assembly
at the Hotel Statler. He spoke
at an an-day program devoted to
cancer.
DR.. Hueper said most cancer
work is aimed at finding better
diagnostic tests, treatment meth
ods and, if possible, a specific cure.
He proposed that more attention
be given to possible prevention of
cancer.
CUIlC SduSCS IA1lOWus
He said it is known that cancer
Is caused by arsenic, penetrating
radiation and the chemical beta
naphthylamine. Studies are un-
der way. he said, also to learn the
effects of asbestos, benzol, chromi-
UNI, nickel and several other
metals which give some definite
indication as causitive factors.
DR.. Hueper stressed that only
a relatively few industrial workers
are exposed in sufficient quantities
for the agents to be dangerous,
but the small amount of attention
given them, he said, is IAN OBJ
vious gap in well-organized cam
paign against cancer"
In another talk. DR.. Freddy
Homburger of Tufts College Med
ical School said no test-includ-
ing the highly publicized Higgins
blood-protein test-has been de-
veloped, which is adequate to
screen persons for the presence of
cancer. He said in $50 cases
using the Higgins test, there were
q large number of false posi-
tives" shown for we'll persons.
While in known cases of ad-
vaneed cancer. he said, the tests
showed positive in only so per
cent.
District Tests Cited.
Similar findings. it was learned,
were determined at the Doctors
Hospital cancer detection center
here. in study of 258 cases by
DR.. 0. B. Hunter. jr.
DR.. Homburger outlined a num-
Der of body changes which do
occur when cancer is present,
however, and he said further re-
search may develop signs which
can be used for diagnosis.
In another address DR.. Edward
A. Gall of the University of Gin
cinnati Medical College said doc
tors too often think of cancer in
its advanced form. He urged them
to search out conditions before
they reached the "unmistakable
aspects of textbook cancer" and
to use the same radical treatment
they would use in the advanced
form.
At a luncheon meeting today
the Scientific Assembly was to
hear the Rev. Edmund A. Walsh,
regent Of the Georgetown Uni
versity Foreign Service School,
speak on Roots of the Cold War"
The public is invited to a meet
Ing at 8:15 o'clock tonight to hear
DR.. Alex j. Steigman and DR.. Hart
E. Van Ripper, medical consultant
and medical director of the Ma
tlonal foundation for Infantile
Paralysis, discuss latest develop
ments in research and treatment
of polio. The meeting will be held
at the Hotel Statler's Presidential
Room.
LOO Doctors at Session.
About 1,700 doctors who turned
out for the opening session yes
terday, meanwhile, heard first re-
ports of an important Gallinger
Hospital study which shows prom
1se OF a way to overcome the re-
sistence of tuberculosis bacteria
to the drug, streptomycin.
DR.. Monroe j. Romansky, asso-
ciate professor of medicine at the
George Washington University
Medical School, told of the effec-
tlveness of streptomycin in tuber-
culosis treatment. But in about 40
days. he said, germs that cause the
disease tend to develop a resist
ance to the drug.
BY using streptomycin in con-
Junction with a new drug, PAS
(para-aminosalicylic acid), how
ever, it has been found the resist
ance does not develop. This gives
hope that the bacteria combating
drugs can be used indefinitely
without losing their power.
Treatment of other new anti
biotics, especially used in combi-
nations, were described by DR..
Hairy F. Dowling, clinical pro-
fessor of medicine at George
Washington; DR.. Harold L. Hirsh
Washington physician, and DR..
Joseph E. Smadel, virus and
rickettsial diseases chief at the
Army Medical Department Re-
search and Graduate School.
DR.. Hawley Gives Talk.
In an address to the physicians,
DR.. Paul r. Hawley, head of the
Blue ,Cross-Blue Shield Commits
sions. urged the medical profess
sion to regain the confidence of
the people" in the present system
OF medical care.
Referring to attacks on organ
ized medicine, DR.. Hawley said he
has come to the conclusion, from
speaking with hundreds of people.
that "the confidence of some of
them have been shaken in the un-
SelhShneSS and public service of