for an unnecessarily long period of time, have been, or may be, overlooked for lack of sufficient funds and a proper administrative vehicle devoted to the investigation of promising original work. Such work often has been considered unimportant or unorthodox by existing avenues of research that have remained closed to many worthwhile scientific workers. The foundation mentioned will be devoted to the correction of the deficiency which allows, in our present American research practice, this delay of action in making known and clinically applicable important basic discoveries. In the very near future it is proposed to set up within the structure of the foundation an institute of dietetics devoted to the careful correlation of all biochemical and medical knowledge pertaining to the influences of the diet on cancerous growth and its various detrimental effects; at the foundation's institute of dietetics, this knowledge of its practical application will be taught to those dietetians, nurses, technicals, physicians and other cancer research workers who are interested in its approach to solving the problem of the cure and prevention of cancer. Such a foundation also insures both the hospital and the laboratory facilities which are so essential for the testing of new treatments which may conceivably influence favorably the course and symptoms of cancer. In such an environment a carefully controlled evaluation of promising methods of treatment of human cancer would be made available. The history of medicine is filled with tragic errors which allow such a long time to elapse between the time of discovery of a basic principle and the actual medical application of the discovery for the good of mankind. To quote from a recent paper by Hammett (Science, vol. 103, No. 2685, p. 714): "Nowhere today is this delay more unhappily evident than in the field of cancer research. The accumulated data of Rous, Shope, Coley, Bittner, Strong, Andervont, Green, Greene, Williams, Taylor, Furth, Twombly, Cowdry, Diller, Bawden, Pirie, Stanley, Wycoff, Kunitz, and others indicate beyond peradventure the path for getting at something of practical benefit to the cancer patient of the future other than surgery and radium." Even the newly announced radioactive phosphorous cure of skin cancer and skin cancer only does not approach the deeper body cancer problem from a systemic or fundamental point of view but is a step forward in the local treatment of cancer. It is obvious that the many potentialities inherent in the Gerson dietary regime for cancer patients should be explored and exploited to the fullest extent for the common good. In order that this new and highly encouraging approach to the problem of cancer cure and prevention be utilized on a statistically significant scale by both laboratory and clinical workers alike, sufficient funds must be made available for this work. This also holds true for the supplemental use of ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy in controlling secondary infections and certain toxic symptoms in cancer patients. These observations have become apparent to several distinguished physicians who have witnessed the effects of the Gerson diet on cancer patients and whose signed statements are also herewith enclosed. Therefore, it is my carefully considered opinion that in view of the success so far and the excellent future promise of both the Gerson dietary regime and ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy, it would be unthinkable not to give major consideration to these new avenues of approach to the cancer problem in the research program contemplated by bill S. 1875. Dr. GEORGE MILEY, NEW YORK 21, N. Y., June 29, 1946. Medical Director, Gotham Hospital, DEAR DR. MILEY: In the last 6 months I have had occasion to observe several patients with advanced cancer treated by the Gerson dietary regime. While all of them did not respond to the treatment, the favorable results in some were very striking, much more so than otherwise could have been expected. I believe that this type of treatment should be investigated intensively and on a large scale as it presents many potentialities for the benefit of the cancer patient. Sincerely, JAMES V. RICCI, M. D. NEW YORK, June 27, 1946. Dr. GEORGE MILEY, New York, N. Y. MY DEAR DR. MILEY: I have observed several cases of malignancy which have apparently been arrested by the Gerson diet, and I am convinced that every opportunity should be given to the continuation of this research. Sincerely yours, HUBERT S. HOWE, M. D. .NEW YORK, June 28, 1946. Dr. GEORGE MILEY, Medical Director, the Gotham Hospital, New York 21, N. Y. DEAR DR. MILEY: For over 3 years I have been observing the effects of the Gerson dietary regime on cancer patients, and it is my carefully considered opinion that many of these patients have been greatly benefited by this type of treatment. The method should be given an intensive trial, as it offers a new and promising approach to the hitherto unsolved problem of a successful treatment for cancer. DEAR DR. MILEY: As you know, I have closely followed the cases of malignancy under treatment by the Gerson diet, particularly the pulmonary ones. I have been much impressed by the apparent reduction of the tumor in several cases and the marked clinical improvement in many of the others. There certainly is a definite benefit in many instances, and it is my firm belief that the research must be continued along these lines. With best regards, I am, CHARLES P. BAILEY, M. D. Senator PEPPER. Thank you very much, Dr. Miley. We appreciate your coming. Dr. GERSON. I have here a letter from a doctor with whom I worked together 7 years, and he would like to give you his statement. Senator PEPPER. All right. I will just put it in the record, then. Dr. Gerson hands me a letter from Dr. Heinrich F. Wolf, 667 Madison Avenue, New York, dated July 1, 1946, reading as follows: For the last 7 years I have shared the same office with Dr. Max Gerson, and in that time I have had the opportunity, not only to observe nearly all the important cases treated by Dr. Gerson with his diet, but I have used the latter on my own patients. The results in some chronic skin diseases, in some types of heart diseases and in some dangerous cases of high blood pressure, were astonishing. In some of my patients the blood pressure that had been up to 170 and 180, went down to 130 permanently, and the symptoms of headaches and dizziness disappeared entirely. During the last 3 or 4 years, since Dr. Gerson paid particular attention to the effect of his dietary regime on benign and malignant tumors, I observed practically all of the tumor cases which he treated. I observed and supervised their X-rays and saw the patients at nearly every visit. One of the first cases of malignant tumors was a Mr. Baldry (1942) who, after surgical removal of a mixed tumor of the left side of the neck, developed a metastatic tumor of the right lung which was diagnosed by X-ray and bronchoscopy. The tumor disappeared and there was no recurrence when we last heard from the patient about one year ago (1945). In 1942 I saw one of his patients who had been operated on for cancer of the tonsils and subsequently treated by radium and X-ray which resulted in an X-ray ulcer about 2 inches in diameter. There were several metastasis in the glands of the neck. Under the dietary treatment the ulcer healed, the glands became very much smaller. After a year the patient left New York. Later I read in the papers that the patient died, 2 months ago. Since then I have observed many cases of primary and metastatic cancer. I saw two patients, each with a colostomy which had been performed because the cancer had completely obstructed the lumen of the sigmoid and rectum. I verified this personally by barium enemas carried out through the colostomy opening and the rectum. In one case (H) the colostomy wound closed and normal passage of the bowels was established. The other patient treated for about 9 months has gained weight. I had no opportunity to reexamine him as far as the local condition was concerned. I saw him last 3 weeks ago. One of my own patients whom I referred to Dr. Gerson because she had been suffering from cancer of the stomach for half a year is doing well. I saw her 4 weeks ago. One of Dr. Gerson's patients who upon a laminectomy was found to suffer from an inoperable malignant intramedullary glima tumor, has regained the use of her arm which was paralyzed when I first saw her 7 months ago. I saw her last 2 weeks ago. Among his patients I saw four cases of malignant brain tumor, one of them metastatic. Two seem to be now perfectly well, both of the others had their failing eyesight partly restored; the progress was arrested. I saw three women who had been operated on for breast tumors, malignant and verified by biopsy, and who had had a recurrence. In all three the metastatic tumors in the lymph glands disappeared, in one of them also a local recurrence. There were quite a number of failures also but they were in my opinion due to the fact that Dr. Gerson accepted for treatment patients who were so far gone that they were absolutely hopeless, even for the most optimistic observer. I wish to mention that the dietary treatment is equally effective in benign tumors. In one of two cases of goiter, the goiter disappeared. In the other the tumor shrunk to about one-third its size. In the first-mentioned case the diagnosis of malignancy was made in the Memorial Hospital, but the method used is not accepted as reliable. In a case of Recklinghausen the neurofibromas in the face have practically disappeared. In a case of myoma of the uterus of the size of a small watermelon, clearly outlined by X-ray films, the tumor has become much smaller. This statement is not intended to give exhaustive summary of Dr. Gerson's work. It is not a copy of his records but a simple report of my personal observations for which I can vouch. I am intentionally refraining from entering into the question of the theoretical foundation of this method but only report my personal observation of the facts. HEINRICH F. WOLF, M. D. Senator PEPPER. The witnesses who care to examine the testimony that they have given, as recorded by the reporter, can get access to the testimony in room 249, Senate Office Building, where it will be available tomorrow. Dr. GERSON. Mr. Swing is present. Senator PEPPER. Mr. Raymond Gram Swing, would you care to say anything on the general subject, here, of this bill, or anything related to it? Mr. SWING. I can speak only as a layman. Senator PEPPER. Of course, everyone knows the recognized ability of Raymond Gram Swing as one of our distinguished radio commentators in this country. STATEMENT BY RAYMOND GRAM SWING, RADIO NEWS Mr. SWING. I think this bill is one of the most encouraging expressions of intelligent democracy. I hope that it gets the full approval of Congress. It has an inspired work to do, and I want to say in particular that before I came here today I have seen some of the cancer patients of Dr. Gerson, and I believe that research along these lines is so necessary and so hopeful that I am delighted that you, Senator, have had the heart and the courage to bring the doctor here, and some of his patients; and I thank you for it. Senator PEPPER. Thank you, Mr. Swing. We appreciate your coming. The hearings will be recessed until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, and we will have a number of distinguished witnesses at that time. That is expected to conclude the hearings on this bill. The hearing tomorrow will be in this room. (Whereupon, at 1 p. m., the subcommittee recessed until tomorrow, Wednesday, July 3, 1946, at 10 a. m.) CANCER RESEARCH WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1946 UNITED STATES SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, Washington, D. C. The hearing was resumed, pursuant to adjournment, at 10 a. m., in room 124-В of the Senate Office Building, Senator Claude Pepper, chairman, presiding. Present: Senators Pepper (chairman of subcommittee), Murray, and Gurney. Also present: Representative Matthew M. Neely, of West Virginia. Senator PEPPER (chairman of subcommittee). The hearing will be resumed. Representative and former distinguished Senator from West Virginia, and coauthor of this bill, Hon. Matthew M. Neely, has honored us by coming this morning, and we are going to give him an opportunity to make any statement that he will on this matter, before proceeding with the other wiesnesses. STATEMENT OF HON. MATTHEW M. NEELY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES FROM THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA Senator PEPPER. Senator Neely, we are very glad to have you here; and again I want to say that this bill is a companion bill to the bill introduced in the House by Senator Neely, and I am glad to be associated with him in this commendable endeavor. Mr. NEELY. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, in the memorable language of one of your famous body's most famous orators and statesmen, Daniel Webster, let me at once emphatically declare that "sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish, I give my hand and my heart" to Senate bill No. 1875, the object of which is to exterminate cancer-mankind's most aggressive, merciless, and agonizing foe. According to a classical Grecian myth, a monster known as the Sphinx, which was capable of propounding difficult riddles and of destroying all who failed in their attempts to solve them, voraciously preyed upon the people of Thebes until the rapidly dwindling population of that ancient city was threatened with annihilation. But a courageous, resourceful young hero named Oedipus averted the impending calamity. He, with drawn sword, advanced upon the Sphinx which imperiously warned him that he would forfeit his life if he did not correctly answer this enigma: What animal is that Which has four feet at morning bright, 127 |