Evening star., 1950-02-22
New Drug Reduces
High Blood Pressure
Obtoined From Roots
Of Green HeIIebore
BY Thomas X. Henry

A drug obtained from the roots Of the
green hellebore, common. highly
poisonous plant of the lily family, which
is sometimes known as Indian poke, is
proving effective in lowering high blood
pressure.
This is the finding of DR.. Edward D.
Freis OF the Georgetown University Medi-
cal School. who is carrying out extensive
tests The drug seems to mimic the
results of the drastic operation known
as sympathectomy in which the sympa-
thetic nervous system is disconnected in
severe cases of apprehension.
The extract is a powerful alkaloid and
some of its effects long have been known
but misinterpreted. 1t was used in cer-
tain Indian magical ceremonies. Later
1t was used widely by physicians as a
pulse softener" and doubtless resulted
in many deaths.
Family doctors found patients with
fast, jumpy pulses. They thought that
if they could slow such a pulse down to
a normal, regular beat they would cure
the illness. All they were doing was
masking the symptoms of pneumonia
or some contagious fever.
DR.. Freis' work started, in association
four years ago. 1t now is being con-
tmued IN connection with Georgetown's
apprehension clinic.
The alkaloid is particularly valuable
as blood pressure reducer because it
does not seem to have direct effect on
the heart. as do many drugs used for
this purpose, but acts by exciting a.
blood-pressure reducing mechanism in
the thorax
One drawback is that the drug must
be given over a long period and a pa
tents tolerance for it gradually is re-
duced. 1t does not cure the condition,
but merely keeps it under control.
Another is that it works we'll with only
about 10 per cent of patients. 1t is of
some value with approximately 40 per
cent more and of very little value with
the remaining so per cent.
Ordinarily, DR.. Freis says, 1t would
be used in conjunction with low salt
diets, other drugs and possibly. in
extreme cases. with sympathectomy.
1t will be used whenever it shows
promise at Georgetown's new hyper
tension clinic, devoted exclusively to the
treatment OF high blood pressure.
Lessons which cause the weird behavior
known at apraxia in which contact
appears to be cut off between the brain
and other parts of the body, are localized
in a new brain map being prepared at
Georgetown University Medical Schools
Brain Institute.
The condition appeared with growing
frequency during the war. and since,
although it is still so rare that cases
must be garnered from all over the world
to check with anatomical observations
during brain diSsections.
1t Is described by DR.. Othmar Solnitzky,
head OF the institute, as inability to
execute purposeful movements on request
in spite of clear comprehension of what
is to be done. The patient is unable to
do, on request, even such simple move
ments as placing hand on his head or
his abdomen. He nevertheless does some
thing, often entirely different from what
he intended. When asked to put on his
hat, he may grasp the table with his
hand. When requested to pour drink,
he may pour the water on the floor, or
over his head" -e. ~, .-.....oA ,s..
There is no loss of ability to perform
the movements, per Sc. Many Of them
are essential and are carried out auto
matically most Of the time. It is only
when victim intends to make them
that he is helpless. Thus when asked to
lick his lips, patient finds it Is i'm
possible to do so. but moment later
when his lips are dry. he licks them
without the slightest difficulty. Some
times only few movements are affected.
Thus. while victim may be unable to
place his hands on his head he Is able
to clasp them in prayer without difficulty.
A serious type is apraxia of swallowing.
When food is placed in victims mouth
he chews it, moves his tongue and lips.
but after several attempts, indicates by
gestures that he cannot swallow But If
the food is pushed beyond the root Of
his tongue, it is Immediately swallowed.
He cannot swallow water placed in his
mouth. But if his head is bent backward
to allow the water to enter the pharynx.
it is promptly swallowed in normal
manner.
Apraxia. DR.. Solnitzky points out, is
nearly always due to LESSONS in the front
Of the brain. most frequently on the left
side. 1t often is diagnostic Of brain
tumor.