DRUG THERAPY OF HYPERTENSION

Drug therapy can lower the blood pressure levels of most hypertensive patients. The agents now in use are usually better tolerated and more effective than many of those available a few years ago. It seems probable that there is a close relationship between the elevated blood pressure and the increased mortality rate of hypertensive persons and that a significant lowering of this pressure would result in a decrease in mortality.In a pertinent study, the average pre-treatment blood pressure of a group of 76 patients with moderate to severe hypertension was 198/119 mm. of mercury in the prone position and 192/118 in the standing position. The patients were treated for a two-year period and with treatment their average pressure over a nine-month period was 164/99 mm. prone and 142/94 mm. standing.Many drugs used for the treatment of high blood pressure have more effect on the lowering of this pressure when the patient is in the standing position. For this reason, the blood pressure, while the patient is standing, should be used as the guide for dosage of these drugs.     

EVALUATION OF THERAPY OF PERIPHERAL POLYNEURITIS

Peripheral polyneuritis is not a disease entity but a mystery. The underlying cause should be searched for, but since often it cannot be found, treatment should be started simultaneously with the search. Conservative measures should be tried first—vitamin B complex, niacin, riboflavin, pyridoxine and thiamine chloride; next, injections of liver extract. Then, if no specific condition amenable to treatment has been discovered and if the patient is seriously incapacitated and becoming worse, hospitalization for trial with BAL is indicated.     

HYDROCORTISONE THERAPY OF PERIARTICULAR PAIN

Certain distinct disease entities producing pain about the joints were treated by injection of hydrocortisone solution at the points of greatest tenderness. Results were superior to those obtained by methods available prior to the advent of hydrocortisone.     

ROENTGEN THERAPY OF RHEUMATOID SPONDYLITIS

Based on the pathological processes involved in rheumatoid spondylitis, comparison is made between the physical qualities of certain techniques of roentgen therapy. Graphic representation of the isodose curves and the homogeneous distribution of radiation pertaining to the method herein advocated is shown.Results obtained in the treatment of 125 cases illustrative of the evolution of technique experienced at the University of California Hospital are tabulated. The indications, contraindications, and complications of the method are discussed.Practically every patient with rheumatoid spondylitis, regardless of the stage of the disease, was benefited, with the best results having been obtained when the radiation was given in three courses, separated by rest periods, and homogeneously distributed along the spine.