Medicine: Capsules, Mar. 18, 1957

¶ Using injections of absolute alcohol near the spine, Dr. William S. Derrick has successfully cut the pain of 82 of 87 cancer patients at the University of Texas' M. D. Anderson Hospital. By blocking a section of the sensory nerve running from the affected part of the body to the brain —a tested technique—the injections relieve pain for up to six months, can easily be given again if the nerve returns to life. Advantage over narcotics: the injection is non-habit-forming, does not wear off quickly. Advantage over surgery sometimes performed to kill...

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