Evening star., 1952-06-11
Method to Block Pain
For Weeks Reported
New Technique Is Described
Before Medical Association
By Thomos R. Henry

CHICAGO. June 11.-Nearly complete
blocking of pain for weeks now is
possible.
1t results from complete abolition
with an anaesthetic of the sympathetic
nervous system along whose pathways
pain impulses are transmitted through
the body.
This new technique was described be-
fore anaestheSiologists of the American
Medical Association here today by Drs.
Albert M. Betcher. George Bean and
Daniel F. Casten of the New York Hos
pital for Joint Diseases.
Three methods. they reported, have
been used to block the movement of pain
mpulseS-Surgery, use of drugs, and
use OF chemicals like alcohol. Complete
and lasting blockage by surgery is a
severe operation and is indicated only
in extreme cases.
The technique reported today was
used in 100 cases. A catheter was in
serted near the spinal column and fixed
to the skin with adhesive tape. Then
procaine, an anaesthetic. was injected
into the catheter and allowed to infil-
trate the nerve chain every four hours.
which was determined by experience to
be the usual period during which the
drug was effective.
The nerve blockade. they said, may be
prolonged for days or weeks while the
patient remains on his feet. The in
Jectlons. once the catheter is in place.
are easily accomplished by nurse.
Complete abolition of sympathetic
nerve activity was maintained through
this entire period" the doctors reported.
only two local complications occurred
pain at the site of the insertion and
Slight infection at this site in two cases."
The method was used in wide variety
OF cases where pain was present. The
results obtained, the doctors said, were
very satisfactory. There was marked
decrease of pain after operations and
earlier rehabilitation.
Pain also can be relieved by blocking
nerve pathways with injections of alco-
hol. it was reported by DR.. John
j. Bonica Of Tacoma, Wash. This Is
especially valuable. he said, in the relief
OF the excruciating pain which often
accompanies cancer.
Properly executed nerve blocks" he
said, can effect complete relief of pain
and enable the sufferer to receive more
intensive X-ray and radium treatment.
Such blocks are not accompanied by
severe central nervous system depression
which is inherent in massive doses Of
opium"
Out Of 1877 cancer patients, he said, 64
got complete pain relief until they died.
Other pain conditions which have been
managed by nerve blocks, he said. are
neuralgia and blood-veSSel diseases.
Medicine is conquering the great
white plague"
In so years the tuberculosis death
rate in the United States has been re-
duced from 100000 to slightly over
$4,000 per year, DR.. Arthur c. Christie
of Washington told the American Medi-
cal Association here today.
Still, DR.. Christie said, this disease re-
mains the leading cause of death in the
age group. of II to 81 years and evo;y
community has reservoir OF known
and unknown cases.
The real beginning of mass surveys
for the discovery of the tuberculous lung
LESSONS, he pointed out. only began dur-
ing the last war, when more than
$4,000, 900 men were given chest X-rays.
Between 1916 and 1850 about $4,000 900
such examinations were made
He reported on the follow-up of q
mass survey conducted in Washington.
1t showed that only Al per cent of the
estimated population was examined.
This indicated, for example, that at
least 10,50O residents of the city had
tuberculosis at the end of 1948 OF
these, IS per cent apparently were un-
known to the health department.
THE percentage of known cases" he
said was greatly increased as a result
of the survey. but the fact that there
is at all times a large number of un-
known cases indicates the necessity for
continuing the Efforts
The surveys showed, he said, that one
fourth of the cases were in patients IS
years old or more, despite the fact that
this group constituted only about 10 per
cent of the population examined.