Evening star., 1949-12-07
ANA Maps Policies
For u. 5. Physicians;
Plans Dues Penalty
BY George Beveridee

BY George Beveridee
Thousands of doctors here
turned their full attention to
medical discussions today, as
special committees of the Ameri-
can Medical Association went into
closed sessions to map policies
for the Nations physicians.
>Of top Importance is a proposal
for an unprecedented levy of an
nual dues on ANA membership
cluding a threat of expulsion to
hang over those who become de-
linquent in payment.
The plan, which would provide
for a maximum of $25 in dues
per year. will reach the AMA's
policy making House of Delegates
tomorrow for final action. The
ANA board of trustees gave it.,
without comment. to bylaws
committee for study yesterday,
at the opening of the powerful
medical organizations third an
nual four-day clinical session.
Controversial Issues Up.
The house members represent
doctors of the country who now
gain ANA membership through
membership in their local medical
societies.
: The House also will take up
resolutions on medical care. Fed
eral aid to education and other
controversial issues in the ANA
drive to stop President Truman's
compulsory health insurance plan.
But principal attention focused
today on Is section meetings in
the District National Guard
Armory, where authorities outlined
recent developments in treatment
and research.
An ANA official took dim
view of. one highly advertised
development. however-the over
the-counter sale of anti-hista-
mimic drugs as treatment for the
common cold.
DR.. Austin Smith, new editor
OF the ANA Journal, said there is
some data indicating the anti
histaminics have an effect in some
people with colds, but that I'VE
feel there is not as yet any chemi-
cal substance that is a specific
preventive or cure
Data insufficient.
While the drugs are effectively
used to treat allergy. DR.. Smith
said, the AMA's Council on Phar-
macy and Chemistry has declared
the available data is insufficient
to justify the present widespread
use OF these drugs"
In addition, he said, some
undesirable side effects. such as
drowsiness, already have been seen.
mo one knows" he added, what
harmful effect they may have on
the body over prolonged periods
Of time"
DR.. Albert j. Sullivan of the
=, Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, and
q former chief medical officer at
Gallinger Hospital here, told the
doctors that about 40 per cent Of
cases of chronic diarrhea are OF
nervous origin. gees.
Emotional upsets during the
last three months of pregnancy
also may cause the child to suffer
nursery diarrhea" for weeks or
months after birth, DR.. Sullivan
said.
Utilization of hormones as a
weapon against cancer is "the
most exciting thing happening in
medicine in this country today"
DR.. Frank E. Adair. noted cancer
research specialist from Me-
mortal Hospital, New York. told
the Clinical Session on Cancer.
Pointing out that hormones
have been used in the battle
against cancer for less than five
years, DR.. Adair displayed photo
graphs of dramatic results
achieved with hormone therapy.
He emphasized that only patients
considered hopeless cases" are
participating in his present re-
search.
Strong Reaction Noted.
Some of the results are disap-
pointing, he said, but even these
show that cancer reacts strongly
to hormone therapy.
"It is only a question of time
now" he said, until we will know
how to do things with the tools
that have been made available
to U.S."
In another talk. Leon H. Hirsh
of Milwaukee, deviated from the
new-development trend to tell the
doctors studies have proved the
value of many of the old tried
.and-tested remedies for coughing
The proven value Of paregoric
for example. he said has returned
to respectability several cough
syrups" which are useful 'wher
removal of mucous from the
bronchial tubes is desirable
Carbon dioxide used in mixture
with 95 per cent of oxygen has
proved the most effective too
for this purpose, however, he
added.
See Television Program.
In television presentation
from Gallinger Hospital yesterday
a group of District doctors re-
viewed progress in the use o.
,streptomycin in treatment o.
tuberculosis. The authorities
outlined use of other drugs to off
set resistance of tuberculosil
bacteria to streptomycin and urgee
earlier surgery in many patients
.xo - H.