Professor dedicated to researching wonder drug'
Effort to expand DMSO use finds supporter
By SEAN MEYERS
Of the Emeraid
Stanley Jacobs is a professional man by nature, but
the University professor sometimes gets a little sloppy.
He was experimenting with a cheap industrial solvent
several years ago when his unprotected hands accidently
came in contact with the chemical. Minutes later his
mouth hadthetasteot oysters. The accident was tcbethe
zenith of Jacobs' career — had had just unleashed the
Cinderella drug of the sixties— Dimethyl Suit-oxide, bet
ter known as DMSO.
Jacobs, who teaches at the University ot Oregon
Medical School inPorttandheardthat Robert Herschler. a
research chemist from Crown Zellerbach Corp., had a
similar experience. They teamed up to conduct further
research on the formula realizing the potential- of DMSO
as a powerful penetrant capable ot reaching all parts ot
the body via the bloodstream at astonishing speeds.
The duo found QMSQ nearly unlimited in application.
It relieved pain and inflammation caused by severe ar
thritis. bursitis and rheumatism, controlled viral infec
tions and tooth and-gum diseases, increased the penet
rating power ot anti-cancer drugs, treated skin diseases
and increased the success rate or skm grafts. Itiseasy to
see why DMSO has been hailed as a wenderdrug otthe
same magnitude aspenicilli«.
A year after his discovery in October 1963. Jacobs
gathered considerable data and applied to the Fbod and
Drug Administration (FDA) for permisaonto begin testing
with human subjects. The special request was granted;
and success mounted Quickly. .
Support of the drug multiplied exponentially. Major
drug firms, physicians and several Eurpopean countries
conducted their own tests and found DMSO met every
requirement for a prescription drug and was indeed safe
for human consumption.
But the FDA balked. Still red-faced from the
thalidomide catastrophy and armed with new power (the
1962 Defauver-Hams Drug Amendment), the FDA or
dered use on humans halted. The agency argued the
remaikabte performance ot DMSO was unconfirmed and
that a change in animals eye lenses after they had been
injected with massive doses of DMSO warranted more
study.
Further i nvestigatien in 1965found no changes in the
eye lenses of human subjects exposed to D MSO. Stilt, the
FDA held firm. While the FDA has yielded a little and
allows restricted use in severe cases, thedrug has not yet
been released to the U.S. medical world for prescription
use.
But that encouraging report was undermined late
last year in a study done try John Howard, a research
assistant at the University. He and hisbrcrther Jim. ran the
psychological consulting firm that Jacobs contracted to
conduct a crrtioue of the 1974-75 study. Theonginai study
was directed in part by Barbara Batemen. a teacher edu
cation professor at the University.
The subjects of the study were 74 mentally hand
icapped children at Pearl Buck. Parents of 30 of the
children elected not to have their children receive DMSO.
and thatgroupof children served as the non-study group.
Howard said the study couldn't employ a true
placebo: test (in which the subjects ot one group unwit
tingly take a dummy medication) because the tell-tale
odor ot DMSO would be absent in their medication. To
remedy this, the experimenters gave one group small
doses ot DMSO. This may have been ineffective. Howard
says, because effects ot low DMSO dosage cannot be
assumed to be minimat or nonexistent
The study attempted to match subjects for age and
functional level." but Howard says "the population of
mentally retarded people available in Eugene is relatively
smalt Profoundly retarded ana slightly retarded persons
were ait lumped into one group.' While the study attemp
DMSO controlled: infection,
relieved pem, inffameiion
and aided in
'cancer
tedto match for those factors, the subject population was
simply too smalt and too diverse for accurate matching,
he said.
"There is a strong tendency among parents ot re
tarded children to believe some miracle cure will come
aiong. i wondered how much improvement was in the
parents minds." said Howard.
Meanwhile, Jacobs continues as the national
clearinghouse for experiments concerning the drug:
Currently DMSO can be used for certain musculo
skeletal aitonents on a limited. tightly controlled basis. For
the last three years, DMSO has been teetering on the
threshold of FDA approval as a prescription drug.
Aided by a University grant, Jacobs is devoted to
winning approval of DMSO. His office reeks of its powerful
characteristic odor. And it is reported he himself relies
extensively on the drug to quell some personal physical
ailments. However. Jacobs refused to talk with reporters.
ironically, some encouraging evidence Jacobs
hoped to use to beef up his DMSO portfolio suffered
considerable marring at the University. Two studies, per
formed between 1973 and 1975 by University facutty and
others at the Pearl Buck Center (a private institution for
retarded children south of Eugene) concluded DMSO
increased the learning capacity and attention span of
mentally retarded children.
“The conelus ions are pretty clear. ' says Howard
The study was poorty done in its design and it didnt
conclusively prove what it was reported to have proved. ’
In fairness to the researchers, however, the FDA put
many unreasonable constraints on the study — espe
cially the insistence, on a traditional medical “double
blind" approach where extremeprecaubons are taken ta
keep everyone unaware of which subjects are getting the
drug," he said.
Although Howard puts little faith in the conclusions of
the original study, he did notice the attention spans and
the awareness of the retarded children were improved
and that there was a great reduction of common physical
problems, notably the colds retarded people are espe
cially susceptible to.
Research may yet confirm the intuition of parents
and clinicians alike, that DMSO is effective in producing
beneficial change in mentally retarded chktiren,” Howard
concluded
The fever of unrest mounts and the controversy
continues. But it scmencw seems that Jacobs is carrying
the burden alone Although Hatfield staff member. Rile
Poster, says “Sen. Hatfield is still encouraging the FDA to
carry our testing and promptly render a decision, on the
fate of DMSO.
The drug cannot be withheld from the medical com
munity, however, as the drug is easily but illegally ob
tained from veterinarians and often smuggled into the
country from Europe, where it is legal in many countries.
Abuse of the FDA’s moratorium is flagrant, but stiff
thousands suffering pain cannot try DMSO.
Meanwhile, mired in his personal interwoavings with
the drug, Jacobs doggedly continues his 15-year-oid bat
tle with FDA.
Lime FLAGSTHEATRE
A muferaaal theatre group from Bodcn wHI
Dertorm
A play Dasedon Wiliam Hint on s ooolraoout
social ravolulion in a Chinese Village n 19*7
EktU Bedroom Thursday Wnh 31
7:30 pun.
TANIA
A play about Cha Guevaras acnvmee in
Bolivia in 1980.
Friday April 1. 7:30 pin*
S3
?C825-.5
WEARS ROW ACCERTWtttaudition races tor the
Seventh Annual WHamese Valley Fol» Festival to
Oe held May 1ft 20 ana 2t. It you play any end at
Traditional music, (including Dixieland, gospel.
Bluagraas. OW Timay. Ongnal Fo«« etc i Please
suonvtyourtapeto Suite It Cultural ForumortieeOv
April 15. For more ntormanon call 6804373 and
ask tor Sue. 30812:IS
Contact the VA Tutenat
Office about your benefits
For into call 68*3232
0073030
tNOVENIALSTORAOHMaT RENTALS
5X10T10X10 and larger. 24 hour access Store c
yoursait and save. Call State Heady.
688-1973 10eOttffn
HAWK A TRAVEL PROMJHRtoat you cannot
solve? Educational Flights nae. tor 7 years. Seen
"«»9 people in trie academe commumtv get to
Europe and toe rest at toe world at mux mum cost,
wito merumtxnilexib*ty. and minimum niseis. Call
us. toLtree. at 800-223-5569: 4:1
OfNJRY — me poets green 914 on me gut last
summer remembers you! 3:14
LOW COST AUTO MWARNCE
747-068»or 987-2259
Asa tor Jim Poor
1379gJdWF
RIGHT. Confidential inter mason and See preg
nancy last. Call 687-8851.
•4286-ttn
WHAT ARE YOUOOIMa
SPRING TERM?
BESIDES PLAYING IN THE SUNL UNT NOT
showvouncoNCcaMPOvnc quality or
LIFE IN OUR STATE?
THE SURVIVAL CENTER IS OFFERING FOUR
SEARCHCLASSES AS WELL AS POSITIONS BY
CREDIT IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
OREGON IS A UNIQUE STATE AND THE SUR
VIVAL CENTER IS TRYING TO KEEP IT THAT
WAY
IF ENVIRONMENTAL
ACTION INTERESTS
YOU, DROP BY THE
SURVIVAL center;
SUITE I EMU. EXT.
438*
00851:14
ttno’S
Piping not Right to your door. And-r>0v*. vre nave
Nio aeavery truais lo gwe vou lasNr service. Call
342-811T. Now open unott am. Monday roSaur
day: Midn^it on Sunday. OOOaktfn
WHAT HAS LOIS OETNMMCTERI <9 vary un
demanding. andlaaeterevar? A cactus, natures
energy saver MM ona today.-or any day at
FUMNYOAY CACTUS. nent to Farrells on Peart.
485-8153. 008*0:14
kANE MEMORIAL BLOOD BANK
The BloaNnocile w# Oe at 1st ChfSafcar Church m
Coburg today from 2:30 to 530.
CONORS NEEDED
A Posanre 4-Urnt* ANegoavea Unws: O PoortnreS
Unas: O Negative 2 Unrtat S Posmve 0 Unde: AS
Positive 1 Unit
CalL4S*-gt11 for an appomonsrt.
MYSTERY GIRL: Pleaae reveal idanmy. free meat
awaae you. Tony D. 3:14
DMCMAEL CHARLES PAUNCR'
As a selt-appoinleo member ot Leprechauns
LTD . ta a very marry Sant Pars anna nappy
BattMey I'm vosmngya. Hares «o me luce ottne
Insh. 3:14
PAT I MMOTMI Have a *mompn stompm
Hathy Birpdsy! Whan are via going out to
luncn? 3:14
KATHY-O: You looratw yours 56 yeersofdf Sul
Happy 21st anyway, ancroant oe passive. Leva.
Sprout. 3:14
HAIR IS BEAUTIFUL!
But n the wrong puses?-- Have-it removed
safely. Phone 637-SI 81 savior Manan. specialist
n ESecscvogy 00774MWH
3:14
CMKMNBOMB—l 'oveyour Peasants. Lowe
oreier and ever Micnaei amt Jack ! 3:14
JERKY L/WW> Good hjcem me Capital' Best
Wishes from BE Kathy Fuzz. 3:14
DROWN EYES. Our gatherings are lew and far
oetwsen — yet memories last forever. The
Younger Girt P S. — Dinner estate the 1st. 3:t4
with fine mne. Case ano Sue. 314
PATH THORNTON — Happy Birthdey Sugge
You re one SB. in a melon. Love A ‘ N Ugty Mete.
Blue Eyes. Sprite. 3:1*
T.Mt MACE: My times opt I’m salt not teed: l it be
bach for the ttailst Gao baby. Lore. Cindy 3:14
GOOPOO& For 4 months we ll mas you but the
sun and sana bscnon. A<toe HeMo Costa Rica.
We If wnte Love. Garsate and Naess. 3:14
MlV.—Sure glad tor Ten Years Altar paroesrWMI
mas you. butshatt retimsoon! Lowe. Glacier 3:14
MARY BlBMi — Happy 21s« an tae2lst. Hoee
you get ypt» 21st. Brindet andFsitioa. 3:t4
FM9MMTFIASK—Get fiaeedn P S. butdoir
wshout Piwref Love. Car Wash. 3:14
JAE — The 17lh ropreaems four years of very
special tunes, and even though weve changed
you It reman very special to me Love. AMF 3:14
OCAR’AOPTs: If s oeen great ana so rrawe you!
Love. Your Pace Bar 3:14
HEAKT-OteOOCVE it s been e necsc term, out
you ve responded Beautifully. Imgroudotthesteos
you re beginning to taee toward your goaia Good
luce and lottas Kwe Otfer-Heen. 3.14
HI DBEE OIOE£ THE
Cat and the Sdote
The cow got wasted
At Max stiff 2:30 m
Jiemommg 00649:14
PAT WAE. What car werav — Thane you: your
1.30(122 section. 3:14
City growth—
unemployed will be attracted from
other areas in sufficient numbers
not only to fill those developing
vacancies, but also to form a
work-force sector that is continu
ously unemployed'
If Melotch s findings can be
translatedto the Eugene area, it
would seem that the effraction at
new industry to the area writ not
solve, and may aggravate the
very situation the city is trying to
alleviate.
With the speculation on the
question of of jobs aside, the loca
tion of Data General, or indeed
any new industry, may cause
problems within the city. Given
today s trends, more people
means more automobiles, which
in turn leads to more pollution.
Mote traffic congestion may also
result from the growth. For exam
ple. the location on the north side
of town may cause congestion
problems on the Ferry Street
Bridge.
Increased population wiK also
cause more sewage discharge
into the Willamette River. While
this may not cause problems in
the immediate area it wilt add to
pollutant concentrations in the
downriver areas, especially in the
Portland section of the river.
What are the alternatives?
Some believe the location of a firm
l ike Data General in the downtown
or core area of the city may be a
compromise which would solve
some of the problems of traffic
congestion. This might also pre
vent the future expansion on the
^Contimjedfrom^age18)
north side of town; expansion
which may cause further
velopment in the-area.
The aty is aiso trying to prevent
the decay of the downtown area
in part by preventing more targe
shopping centers in suburban
areas. If Data General were to
locate in the downtown area it
may art the city in preserving the
downtown area as the social
center of the city.
But with the annexation of the
land, the city seems to be provid
ing a location which is tailor-made
for the firm. Data General has not
yet decided definteiy to locate in
Eugene but wourtbeaitractedby
the tract of land provided A down
town location may not be as entic
ing to the company.
Another alternative suggested
by somepeopie is to develop in
dustries here in Eugene to fit the
needs of the people here. Ned
Murray, University director of
Orientation, suggested during his
unsuccessful bid for mayor in
November that Eugene should
develop a solar energy systems
manufacturing business He also
cited the area’s handicrafts as a
potential source of exports.
This, however, does not seem
to be the tack the city is going to
take. The goal of the city, or at
least a majority of foe city council
members, seems to be to attract
new non-polluting industry like
Data General in the hope of pro
viding badly-needed jobs while
preserving the quality of life in
Eugene.