The Wayne County Medical Society Bulletin for Jan. 5, 1920, was devoted almost exclusively to another discussion of Dr. Koch’s “cancer cure.” It was there stated that a second committee had been appointed to gather what information could be obtained from outside sources relative to cases treated by Dr. Koch. This committee reported that of fifty-six cases of which it was able to obtain data, only three of the patients showed clinical improvement; twenty-one of the patients were dead. Three more patients treated both by the Koch injections and by operation were reported as clinically improved. The condition of eighteen of the patients was reported as stationary, or unimproved. In eleven of the cases, the results were unknown but the surgeons reported unfavorably.
The committee reported further that Dr. Koch’s records were incomplete and that he had submitted no proof that his injections have any particular merit and the committee concluded that the study “is entirely experimental and improperly supervised.”
Evidently, the most that can be said of Dr. Koch’s alleged “cure” for cancer is that the claims made for it have not been supported by independent investigators.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Feb. 12, 1921.)
Further Comment
Last week some space was given to the alleged cure for cancer put out by Dr. William F. Koch of Detroit. Incidentally, it should be mentioned that Dr. Koch’s article of Oct. 30, 1920, to which reference was made, appeared not in the New York Medical Journal, as stated, but in the New York Medical Record.
The following correspondence throws additional light on the subject:
To the Editor:—To the number of inquiries which you have received regarding the alleged cure of cancer by Dr. Koch, permit me to add the following personal experience. On July 1, 1920, I was asked to examine an ex-patient of mine whom I had not seen professionally for many years. Her husband frankly told me that for several months his wife had been treated by Dr. W. F. Koch for inoperable carcinoma of the pelvic organs, that he wished Dr. Koch to retain charge of the treatment but hoped I would give my opinion regarding certain nervous manifestations in the patient which were causing him (her husband) much concern.
At the same time, he showed me a letter written by Dr. Koch purporting to explain the symptoms and offering suggestions regarding treatment. I called on the patient and found her in the last stages of generalized carcinomatosis. Simple palpation of the abdomen revealed multiple nodules involving both lower and upper abdominal quadrants. I did not feel justified in making a pelvic examination but noted a profuse foul-smelling discharge on the vulvar pad. My prognosis did not meet with the deluded husband’s approval. The patient died within a week and a necropsy confirmed the clinical picture of carcinomatosis. Enclosed is Dr. Koch’s letter; the patient’s name should, of course, be omitted if you see fit to publish this note.
George de Tarnowsky, M.D., Chicago.
The letter from Dr. Koch which Dr. de Tarnowsky enclosed with his own, follows. We have, of course, deleted the name of the patient.