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> DMSO is also helpful in scleroderma or "hidebound disease," in which the skin's fibrous middle layer becomes thickened and so hard that the victim cannot clench his hands. Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Arthur L. Scherbel reports that daily paintings with DMSO have restored the use of the hands, and healed fingertip ulcers. He is not yet certain whether DMSO has long-term effects on the overall disease.
The Food and Drug Administration's chief of drug investigations, Dr. Frances O. Kelsey, is strictly controlling DMSO's use by limiting supplies to approved researchers. With so much still to be learned, DMSO cannot go on general prescription sale for at least one year and more likely three.
*How far and fast it travels is shown by the fact that a minute or two after it is swabbed on the skin it creates a garlic odor on the patient's breath.