Evening star., 1956-08-19
Help You?

Group tranquzerS disturbed patients, reports from
institutions the country leave no doubt that they
have scored SpectaculaTly.
MANY children have received significant relief from the
tremors of cerebral palsy The pills have also helped
alcoholics But how have the mde tranquizers scored on
the millions Of ordinary, unhoSpalized people who are
now taking them!
Ibegan my research by asking Dr. Ralph 6. Smith, Chief
of the new Drug Branch of the Federal Food and Drug
Administration howhS department felt about peace pills.
He told me, I'VE don't approve the efficiency of new
drug Just whether it's safe when used under the conditions
set forth on the label But there always things don't
know about drugs that may take long time to ide-
ty That's why drug should be taken without doc
tors keeping pretty close tabs on the patient.
To find out how Miown and other mild tranqulllzers
had worked in controlled usage contacted Dr. Veronica
M Pennington psychatist at the Mississippi State Hosp
tai at Whitfield She reports I'VE have studies all
of these drugs and have found them helpful when prescribed
for proper The daily Of them has in no case
caused habtuation either in the normal the neuroc or
the psychoc individual They do relieve tension, worry
and nervousness when properly prescribed"
Some Have undesirable Effects"
Other doctors report considerable doubt the efficacy
of the mder drugs In fact experiment at Northwestern
University Medical School questions the efficiency OF even
strong mood pill In study of 80 patients before sur
gery half received resepne to aay their anxiety the other
half received idencallooking dummy pills. Anxiety was
lessened in about half Of each group.
DR. Pennington warns that none OF these TanquIll1erS
should be taken unless there has been complete physical
and psychatrc examination Several Of the ranqullzers
now being prescribed, she have undesirable effects
as we'll as beneficial ones. For example, some produce
condition of the blood in which the white cells decrease in
number and are not able to combat infections this
very serious condition occasionally resulting in DEATH The
effect Of some on the temperaure-reguating mechanism
must be carefully observed particularly in hot weather
The mood-pl manufacturers, all highly reputable drug
concerns agree with Dr. Pennington that the pills should
be used only under the supervision Of physician we
never dreamed our product would be used hkeasprln
one drug company official told me. mo one should take
these pills who is not seeing physician regularly
Some doctors have reported that chlorpromazine and
reserpne on rare occasions have dangerous side effects
drop in blood pressure that causes antne various aer
ec reactions and condition similar to Parkinsons dis
ease And that chIorpromazne in few cases. has caused
iaundce while reserpne has occasionally caused swell
ing of the CLOTHS that could result in fatal stranguaon
if not diagnosed.
DIR. NJ William WinkeIman Jr., Of Philadelpha's Hill
man Medical Center credits Thorazne with helping W per
cent of those receiving treatment but he cautions Ihora-
zine therapy as sensitive and skilled procedure as
inSuln for the diabetic.
What do psychatrists think of the tranquizers? Well
the American Psychiatrc " Continued on page 20