Medicine: Enzymes & Doubts

The era when sulfa drugs were the wonders of the medical world was quickly followed by the antibiotic age, and then came a time when hormones held the center of the medical stage. Next, thought some enthusiastic researchers, would come the age of enzymes—some of nature's complex chemicals which act as catalysts in countless physiological reactions. A star among the enzymes was expected to be trypsin, secreted by the pancreas. It was known to dissolve dead tissue around wounds, but a team of Manhattan researchers led by Dr. Irving Innerfield made far more dramatic claims for it.

Now the A.M.A. Journal has...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!