Pamphlet on Eschatin printed by the Parke, Davis & Company
to the Medical Profession:
ESCHATIN (SUPRARENAL CORTEX EXTRACT)
Eschatin is a highly purified extract of the adrenal cortex,
containing not more than a few tenths of 1 per cent of solid
extractive matter. It is substantially free from Adrenalin
(less than one part in 200,000)
It is standardized after the manner described by Harrop,
Pfiffner, Weinstein and Swingle (Proceedings of the Society
for Experimental Biology and Medicine, 29:449, Jan., 1932),
and contains not less than 25 dog units per cc.
THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS
Eschatin is indicated in cases of insufficiency of the
suprarenal cortex. The only definite indication at present
is Addison's disease, for which it appears to be valuable as
a diagnostic as well as therapeutic agent. Possibly the
extract will prove in the end to be even more valuable in
conditions of hypoadrenia, other than Addison's disease,
in which most of the adrenal tissue has already been
destroyed.
The therapeutic action of the adrenal cortex extract has been
described by Rowntree, Greene, Swingle and Pfiffner (J. A. M.
A., 96:
231-235, 1931). Patients in a state of collapse were
given intravenously as much as 20 cc. daily, divided into two
or three doses, the treatment being followed by remarkable
general improvement. Weight gain, increase in strength, and
disappearance of anorexia ensued within a few days under
treatment, but the effect upon blood pressure was less
striking.
The spectacular results observed in several of these early
cases are not to be expected in every instance, since the
response, no doubt, is dependent upon the degree of
suprarenal insufficiency. Moreover, it becomes apparent, now
that many cases have been treated, that large daily doses of
extract will be required in patients approaching total
deficiency. In those having moderate involvement, however,
treatment will sustain life and health for a considerable
period of time, although naturally the hormone is not a cure
and cannot check progressive hypoadrenia due to infection.
Both laboratory and clinical observations have shown that
administration of sodium salts is a valuable adjuvant in the
management of Addison's disease. R. F. Loeb (Proc. Soc. Exp.
Biol. & Med., 30:308, 1933) reviewed experimental studies of
sodium chloride in adrenalectomized animals and reported the
result of salt administration in the case of a woman with
Addison's disease. The beneficial effect in this case was
striking. George A. Harrop, et al. (J. A. M. A., 100:1850,
1933), in a study of four cases treated with high salt diet,
showed that the regular administration of sodium chloride had
a markedly beneficial effect. This author also finds the
daily administration of from 1 to 3 ounces of cottonseed oil
of value. In severe relapse salt may be administered by
intravenous injection or by protoclysis. Recent work has
shown that an alkalinizing salt mixture containing either
sodium bicarbonate or sodium citrate is superior to the use
of sodium chloride alone. One suggestion is that sodium
chloride and sodium citrate be used in a proportion of two
parts of the former to one of the latter (Harrop, et al.,
J. Exper. Med. 61:839, 1935; W. D. Allers, Proc. Staff Meet.
Mayo Clin. 10:406, 1935). When there is no need for
emergency measures, adequate amounts of salt mixture may be
given by means of a high salt diet together with
administration of 5 to 10 Gm. daily in capsules.
DOSAGE
In the preliminary demonstrations of the efficacy of the
cortical extract, intravenous treatment was used exclusively,
but, although it may be necessary at times to administer
Eschatin intravenously, the almost universal practice is to
give it subcutaneously. Patients in a state of collapse may
be given daily as much as 20 cc. of Eschatin, preferably in
divided doses, in addition to hydration and sodium chloride
therapy.
If the condition of a patient with Addison's disease has not
reached the stage of extreme exhaustion and collapse,
probably much smaller doses of Eschatin will suffice.
Clinical data indicate that doses of 1 to 5 cc.
subcutaneously are effective. This same dosage and route of
administration every two or three days, or even once each
week, may be all that is required for maintenance after the
phase of severe relapse is past.
PACKAGE
Eschatin is marketed in 10-cc. vials, each cubic centimeter
of extract representing at least 25 dog units.
11/28/39 Tuesday noon [
808] letter to EC:
Dear Edgar:
Just a note hurriedly to tell you I'm still on the improve.
I have felt all along that the serum injections were helping
me and only needed the little bit of encouragement from you
to assure me they were. The readings said they were the
thing for me and I am sure the readings are right. This Dr.
Wolohon is perfectly willing to cooperate with me and give
them to me as he said he would do anything that would help
me get well, but he doesn't think they are helping me. He
thinks it's the rest. However, we don't expect him to know
all the information that the readings give. He wouldn't be
an ordinary doctor if he did. We really do like him and he
is very nice about me having these treatments. He doesn't
stress the point every time he sees me that they aren't what
I should be having, but seems to be delighted that I am
getting well. We didn't tell Dr. McCue about the readings
because he isn't the type of doctor that you could tell. He
is very peculiar and thinks no one else knows what he knows.
You know you have met people like that and it is just a waste
of breath. I'm so glad I don't have to go to him anymore and
that I can carry out the treatment without him.
I'm still home but do hope I can get back to work soon.
Really though this is the first time in years that I have
been able to relax and actually enjoy it. I couldn't do it
before and that is the reason I think the injections have
helped me. They have relaxed me and quieted me so I could
rest. And believe me that is a big factor.
Well, enough about me. How is your family? Have they
returned? I am anxious to hear about Gertude's eyes. Do
hope the specialist has done her some good.
Hope Tommie is on the improve. Do remember us to him.
Am going for a walk now so will drop this in the box in time
to get out this afternoon.
Remember us to all
With love from us both, [
808]
12/19/39 She said she was back at her office, after a two
month absence.
2/05/40 She referred Dr. [
2106] for a Physical Reading.
3/26/40 [
808]'s letter to EC:
WASHINGTON SANITARIUM AND HOSPITAL
Takoma Park, Washington, D.C.
Dear Edgar:
Have been intending to write you for three weeks but have
been quite sick [with flu] and not equal to it. Came home
from the Sanitarium Sunday night and wish you would give me
a check reading sometime this week if possible. I will be
home in bed. Questions are enclosed in case it is possible
for you to give me one.
Later when you get me on my feet again and I can write you
in more detail I want to tell you about what the people at
the Sanitarium thought about you. By the way they are
interested in me having this reading and want to see it after
I get it. When I told Dr. Wolohon about you last November
he got the impression that you were a Spiritualist and he
said the Bible said we are to stay away from that. [GD's
note: The Washington Sanitarium & Hospital is run by Seventh
Day Adventists.] However, I have gone into it a little
further with them and now they think you might be a prophet.
The Supervisor asked me if you had any breath in your body
when you gave the readings. Well, anyway, it was quite
interesting and will tell you about it sometime.
Surely hope this letter gets you before you go to New York
and that you will have time to get me in.
Thanks for all kind favors in the past and hoping that you
can help me at this time,
With love from us both [
808]
1. Will Eschatin glandar injections help me at this time?
2. If so, should 1 cc. or 2 cc. be given and how often?
3. Have had sore throat which refuses to clear up - What
should I do to eliminate this condition entirely?
4. (Edgar, would it be a silly question to ask when I would
be physically able to return to work? It is rather difficult
for me to tell by the way I feel whether I am able to work
and I don't want to undo all that has been done by going back
too soon. However, I don't want to waste any leave if I am
able to work. You use your judgment about asking this
question.)
3/28/40 See
808-12.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation