The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1959-07-30
gn Wa4h1nqtM
with Rep. John Henderson
Attack On Disease

uCdLlOl, ana welfare Is one Oh Lle
principal agencies of government
and, like most Of the Federal
departments today, it includes a
multitude Of programs which the
Congress has placed within its
scope over the years. There is no
activity in this huge department
that eXciteS more interest and
public approval than the respon-
sibilities assigned to the National
Institutes Of Health.
The existence of the National
Institutes is the physical mani
%festation of one Of the most
dramatic changes in American
public opinion over the last de-
cade. This change lies in the
pyramiding of national interest
in medical science. There has
been a popular demand for an in
creased attack upon our major
health problems such as cancer,
heart disease, arthritis, and other
killers and cripplers. To the Ma
tional Institutes of Health has
gone the important mission OF
coordinating the Federal govern
ment's efforts in this important
field.
It has been recognized through
the years that government funds
and efforts should consider the
vital work being carried on in
thousands of private and state
medical laboratories and clinics
and the Congress has been care
full to assure that the Federal
effort does not interfere with,
duplicate, or restrict this re-
search. In fact, the total emphasis
has been placed upon supple
mentlng and complementing
these research activities. In the
program is a provision that Fed
eral funds may not be used UNI
less they are approved for a par
ticular purpose by one of the Ma
tlonal Advisory Councils. COM
posed of outstanding physicians
and scientists in given fields.
Where And How
Surveying this scene, we may
ask where and how this work is
done. 1t is true that the heart of
the National Institutes program
lies in the superb laboratories
and 5l6-bed research hospital at
Bethesda, Maryland. However, il
IS far larger than this, since
roughly One-half Of all medical
research in the nation is being
supported by aid and grants
from this program. In this way
the effort is being made to as.
sure that the United States con,
tlnues to be the world leader il
medical research for its people.
What Has Been Accomplished
Accomplishments for each ci
tlZen must be measured to {
large extent in terms of an in
Vestment' for every American
present and future. However. tn,
work has already resulted il
tremendous benefits in alleviat
ING human suffering and length
enlng life expectancy. From tn
NIH-SuppOrted medical researcI
have come preventive measure
such as VaccineS and new meth
DDS of treatment. as in the cas-
Of antibiOtic drugs. The hon
mones, such as ACTH and col
tisone and potent relatives {
theirs, have become importar
medical aids in treating rher
matoid arthritiS and some seriou
eve diseases. Sureerv unheard
10 - AGO is now routine. Fl
example, nan thousands ,
r children with heart defects ca
now be saved. Even in the cas-
of cancer, perhaps the mo
dreaded disease of all, there a.
sipns that research NAV even
uallv conuuer it. Already. re
progress has been made with ce
tain kinds of cancer and tests
detect, it early + being in
v proved RAPIDLY. One of the gra'
est burdens. mental disease.
also under strong attack az
therapeutic drugs are brineil
new hope-hope which has a re
basis as the knowledge of bra
chemistry increases. There a
but a few of the accomplishment
: which are far too many to enur
If crate here.
=. The Cost
y In 1888, the Federal progra
for medical research cost $46'
900. Bv 1916. this had grown
So million. Since then, the pr
gram has been enlarged MAJ
times over with appropriate
$, last year reaching 1924 millic
Next year, there will be no
Il duction in either effort or funt
S, At this time, the Congress
completing its work on the b
to provide funds for the ne
twelve months and its acti