“A true alterative and tissue builder.”
“The value of Protonuclein depends upon its ability to increase cell power and promote tissue strength. It is therefore needed whenever the organism is below the normal standard, more especially in Anaemia, Typhoid, Neoplasms and as a Prophylactic.”
All the foregoing claims and recommendations are supposed to be based on certain alleged discoveries which the Council has previously characterized as “a tissue of vague speculations ... in direct conflict with the known facts of physiologic chemistry.” As for the third claim, Hunt and Seidell have commented on the danger of recommending thyroid, the most powerful tissue-destroying drug known, as a “tissue builder.”
Protonuclein Beta, it is said:
“... combines the reconstructive action of Protonuclein with the action of the vital principle of the spleen, making it a distinct product for use in all tubercular troubles, including phthisis, localized joint affections and scrofular conditions.”
This product, according to the manufacturers, is based on the work of a certain Dr. Bayle of Cannes, France. Dr. Bayle said that he had treated tuberculous patients with fresh ground up spleen of hogs (25–100 grams per day), mixed with fruit preserve or bouillon; in cases in which this brought on gastro-intestinal disorders, extract of the spleen pulp was administered hypodermically. Bayle reported extraordinary improvements in the physical and mental conditions of his patients even after a few days of this treatment; over 90 per cent. of his tuberculous patients, according to him, improved or were cured. This applied to all types and stages of tuberculosis in man. “With the spleen pulp treatment tuberculous glands disappear like syphilis lesions on administration of mercury and iodids.”
This “spleen specific” of Bayle lacks scientific foundation; Bayle’s own cases were not adequately controlled, and no notice has been taken of Bayle’s report by experts on tuberculosis. Hence it practically lacks both confirmation and contradiction.
The spleen is invaded by tubercle bacilli quite as frequently as are the kidneys and the liver; it has no special toxic action on these bacilli. Nor is there any reason to believe that the end products of gastric and intestinal digestion of spleen pulp, after absorption into the blood, exert such toxic action. It cannot be assumed that these end products indirectly aid the healing processes through improved metabolism, for there is no evidence that they have any specific nutritive or stimulating action after such absorption. Altogether, what we know of the physiology and pathology of the spleen does not warrant us in looking for a “specific” against tuberculosis in this organ.
If, however, the known facts did justify any hope that the spleen might furnish such a specific, manufacturers would not be warranted in exploiting or physicians in prescribing spleen products as a remedy for tuberculosis until control experiments on animals had confirmed the therapeutic value of these products. In a chronic disease like tuberculosis, no conclusions that are scientifically valid can be drawn from clinical cases until many cases have been observed for years under suitable conditions. Right here it may be said that the clinical “evidence” offered in favor of Protonuclein Beta is worthless. The observations which have been reported on this product are not such as to permit any valid final conclusions to be drawn with regard to its value.