I think we have gone over bee venom therapies on numerous occasions, but I don't recall ever reading this:

BOOK REVIEW

BEE VENOM, The Natural Curative for Arthritis and Rheumatism. By Joseph Broadman, M.D. New York, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1962, 220 pp. $4.95. 

This book revives the use of bee venom which is reported to have been suppressed in America by the "bureaucratic authoritarian organization" which controls United States medicine. 

The tone of the book reflects the author’s deep annoyance that resistance to the acceptance of this therapy in America has forced him to write this book in order that patients will come to know the "facts" and demand this panacea for the treatment of arthritis. 

The contention that "bee venom is relatively unheard of in American medical circles" will come as a surprise to most senior rheumatologists who had extensive experience with this form of therapy in the 1930’s when it was quite popular. Experience at that time showed that other forms of therapy are much more effective. 

The extensive quotations, primarily from the European literature, are not impressive. The usual uncontrolled case histories are given as examples of the some 100 patients with various types of arthritis and rheumatism treated by the author since 1952. Approximately one-half obtained relief of all symptoms. Anyone even vaguely familiar with the difficulties of assessing the effectiveness of any treatment, in patients with arthritis, will easily recognize the fallacies in the sweeping conclusions reached. 

Of particular note are the theories, presented as facts, on the causation of arthritis (insufficient oxygen in the tissues), on the reason arthritics can foretell rain, and on the related etiology of rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis, osteoarthritis, gout, fibrositis, etc. A detailed examination of these beliefs would not be profitable in time or energy. 

The author’s inability to have articles on this form of therapy published in the United States is adequately explained by a perusual of his article in General Practice which is reproduced in the Appendix. There is no need to invoke his excuses of jealousy in the pharmaceutical industry or among the rheumatologists. 

The author states that "it is my considered opinion that bee venom is a specific for arthritis and rheumatism." Everyone is entitled to his own opinion and to publishing it if he so desires. Opposition by others is also their prerogative, especially in this case where it is based on wide experience in the treatment of the rheumatic diseases and not, as the author indicates, on ignorance, jealousy or bureaucratic control. 

This book is a diatribe against the modern concept of the rheumatic diseases and in support of a remedy proved to be of little value. -- R. W. Lainont-Hazjers, M.D. 

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html