Evening star., 1950-04-25
Scientists Told
CortisoneFiIIs
Ear|yPromises
But Amounts Available
Are Less Than Tooth
Of | Per Cent of Need
By Thomas R. Henry
Science Editor Of The Sior.

%HHof SI ms oioT.
The minute amount of the hor-
none cortisone now available
far less than Tooth of l per cent
of the country's needs fulfilling
all its early promises in the treat
ment of rheumatoid arthritis,
rheumatic fever, Addison's disease
and bronchial asthma.
Its value in leukemia, cancer,
Bright's disease and hyperthyroid
conditions still is quite question:
able.
This was reported here yester-
day to the annual meeting of the
National Academy of Sciences
after six months of investigation
under the academy's own aus
pices.
Situation Called Tragic.
When the remarkable expert
mental effects of this product of
the adrenal glands first was re-
ported from the Mayo Clinic last
year there was every indication
that the discovery was mile
stone in medical history.
But for the many thousands of
arthritis sufferers the situation
was tragic. A way had been found
which promised pain-racked,
helpless cripples complete relief
but it was like a mirage in the
desert. The richest man in the
world couldn't get enough for
complete treatment.
The little amounts available. It
was obvious, must be used for ex-
perlmental work rather than dis
slpated on a few patients.
$50 Grams Available.
This amounted to total of $50
grams which have been allotted
through the National Academy to
Ut investigators in that number
Of institutions. The distribution
has been in charge of DR.. Chester
S. Keefer of Boston, appointed to
act for the Academy. Previously
he had handled distribution of the
lar more abundant .streptomycin
when the supply was far below the
demand.
A deaf ear had to be turned to
all personal pleas, however worthy,
in the interest of scientific deter
mination of the new drugs value
and the best methods for admins
terlng it.
DR.. Keefer reported yesterday
on the results to date. Cortisone
continues to show it's most striking
effects in treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis with the administration
of SO to 800 milligrams a day.
TestS.lhave been made on "a pa
tients. The most striking case re-
ported yesterday was that of an
attorney. 43 years old, who had
been completely bedridden for 25
years. He could not even turn
over in bed without assistance and
was constantly in excruciating
pain.
Within two days he could turn
over without help and was able
to sit up and read for a few min
utes. In three weeks he could
stand up and walk 20 feet. In
six weeks he could walk unaSsist-
ed. This was at a total cost OF
less than three grams.
Some Permanent Improvement.
There is always a relapse when
the treatment is stopped, but
sometimes there seems to be some
permanent improvement. When
the arthritis victim also has dia-
betes the problem becomes quite
complicated because sugar in the
blood increases and there is need
for more insulin.
In rheumatic fever. the tests
have shown, the hormone has
great value. but there is consid-
cradle question whether the fun
damental pattern of the malady is
changed. The results in the pre-
viously fatal Addison's disease,
due to failure of the adrenal
gland to secrete various hormoneS,
have been very promising.