Medicine: Capsules, Jul. 14, 1952

¶ In the A.M.A. Journal, three groups of doctors reported fatal cases (eight in all) of aplastic anemia following treatment with the antibiotic Chloromycetin. Editorially, the Journal warned against use of the drug for minor ills, wondered whether it might have to be limited to such serious complaints as typhoid. The Food & Drug Administration started checking all new cases of aplastic anemia to see whether Chloromycetin had been used.

¶Marsilid, one of the isoniazed* drugs now being widely tested against T.B., may be useful for a lot of other things, three New York City doctors reported in London. They found that it relieves pain, and can be used as a substitute for narcotics in some advanced cases of cancer. It is also being tried on narcotic addicts to ease withdrawal symptoms.