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156 R a d i u m
sure show a normally balanced pulse pressure in some cases before the
metabolic rate becomes normal."
"2. Three months after treatment the metabolic rate was found
to be normal in many cases that had been active."
"3. A high systolic blood pressure in the late stages of a toxic
adenoma is conclusive evidence of myocardial or renal degeneration
whenever it is not reduced 20 or 30 per cent after the normal metabolic
rate has been re-established."
"4. The basal metabolic rate proves and estimates the degree of
thyroid activity and also furnishes conclusive evidence of toxic control
after radium therapy."
Th. Vaternahm. M. D. (Frankfurt. A. M.). Further Experiences
in the Treatment of Arthritis with High Doses of Radium Emanation.
Medizinischc Klinik. xviii. 1477-79. Nov. 23, 1922.
While at firstin the application of radon in diseases of the joints,
doses were employed which corresponded approximately to the natural
healing factors, soon the multiple—even a thousand times this amount,
has been given with good results, partly on account of the small and
slow progress of the cure. Falta was the first who emphasized the necessity
of stronger applications of radon and according to him and to
v. Noorden. theraputic effects with higher doses are obtained on account
of the stronger physiological effect which large doses of radon
can exert, where in many cases small doses do not do anything. Falta
assumes that only in giving stronger doses a larger part of the emanation
passes the lungs, enters the left heart, and the general circulation,
thus being conducted to all tissues of the body.
In a previous communication from our Institute. Strasburger and
Werner have reported that very good results in arthritis have been
obtained by treatment with drinking waters containing tip to 300,000
M. L". (mache units)* and these experiences have been further confirmed
according to our observations in the last years. More recently we have.
by a further increase of the doses, obtained surprising results in cases
where we could see. with the light dose so far used, little or no improvement,
even with repeated treatment. The amount of radium in our Institute
which gives us daily about 15.000,000 M. U., enables us to give
to our patients, in suitable cases, very strong doses up to 1.000,000 M. U.
and more in the usual way. Starting with low doses of a few thousand
M. U. we gradually increase and stop for some time at our usual maximum
dose of 300.000 M. U. If then, no appreciable effect can be observed,
we go cautiously, giving during the next two to three weeks up
to 1.000.000 M. U,, let the patient drink this new maximum for 10-12
days, and then go slowly down again. The whole drinking treatment
extends over about 6-8 weeks. In order not to obscure the judgment
on the success, no other treatment, medical or physico-therapeutic, is
given simultaneously.
The treatment with such high doses of emanation made it necessary
to look for eventual harmful consequences. Several times previously
we made the observation of albumin in the urine, even when small doses
were given. This was soon proven to be without foundation. Falta found
in his many cases treated, partly with very high doses, never an irri-
•1 milllcurie per llier cqunls about 3.700.000 M. U. conocntralio". Ed.