CHAPTER
VII
GENERAL
DIRECTIONS FOR THE PANCREKIC OR ENZYME
TREATMENT
OF CANCER IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS
WHEN, in January, 1906, trypsin began to be
employed in the treatment of cancer in many places, Fairchild’s “trypsin in
powder,” and Merck’s trypsin, were the best-known preparations of this enzyme
upon the market. Fairchild’s “ trypsin in powder” was a very potent substance,
prepared by this firm I or “ dissolving diphtheritic membrane,” and, so I
understand, long used successfully for this purpose. In recent years it had
been superseded by Behring’s “ antidiphtheritic serum,” a substance the nature
of which is still unknown. Regarded scientifically, the innovation cannot be
described as an advance. The sole mistake made by Messrs. Fairchild Brothers
was in advocating its use as a powder, and not in the form of a hypodermic
injection of trypsin (and amylopsin). There is no doubt in my mind to-day that
certain of the injections of trypsin and of amylopsin, in combination, would
with certainty and without any of the dangerous complications
(serum-anaphylaxis) attaching to the usage of a “ serum “ dissolve this membrane,
and cure diphtheria. But, of course, at present the medical profession is
wedded to “ sera,” which may be described briefly as unknown substances of uncertain
action. So much for the preparations of “trypsin
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