252 THE PROTEAL TREATMENT OF CANCER 



combination, during subsequent months. It was found that 

 patients who were virtually immunized to the combined proteins, 

 taking large doses without tangible response, showed marked 

 anaphy lactic reaction when small doses of the new proteins were 

 administered. Such being the case, it was not surprising that 

 there should be a corresponding -modification of clinical symptoms 

 and a characteristic modification of the differential blood count 

 to which- 1 shall refer more in detail in a moment. 



In the New York Medical Journal of November 13, 1915, I 

 summarized the preliminary results attained in the treatment of 

 766 cases of inoperable cancer by 152 physicians using the orig- 

 inal vegetable protein extract. 



These were all cases of far-advanced malignancy, mostly post- 

 operative. Many of them had been X-rayed and radiumed. All 

 were pronounced inoperable before the protein treatment was 

 undertaken ; and this treatment was used to the exclusion of any 

 other. The preliminary results, as tabulated in the article in 

 question, showed that 16.5 per cent, of the cases in question were 

 reported as having died ; 19.5 per cent, as being unimproved ; and 

 64 per cent, as being improved to a greater or less extent. 



Following the summary, this comment was made : 



"As most of the patients in question have been under treat- 

 ment for periods of only from two weeks to two months ; and 

 as by far the greater majority of them were in a very desperate 

 state at the time when the treatment was undertaken, it must be 

 admitted that this is a very gratifying showing. It is perhaps 

 unnecessary to add that, despite the favorable showing, most of 

 these cases are not as yet at a stage where prediction can be made 

 as to the ultimate outcome." 



It will be of interest, I think, to introduce here in tabular form 

 a summary of the reports made by a group of co-operating physi- 

 cians in response to a questionnaire I sent out under date of 

 October 25, 1915. The letter was accompained by a blank form, 

 covering details as to the type of cases of inoperable cancer 

 treated, and the general and special results observed. 



This form was sent to about 275 physicians, located in various 

 parts of the United States. In the course of a few days, replies 

 were received from 144 physicians. This was perhaps as high a 

 percentage as could be expected. The number is large enough to 

 give fairly satisfactory statistical data; and there is no reason to 

 believe that the essential character of the report would be changed 

 had the entire number responded. Be that as it may, the reports 

 received are printed here serially, each bearing the number that 

 the physician's name bears in my office files. Results are tentative, 

 but the aggregate report is at least highly suggestive. 



