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One of you, I believe it was Dr. Scherbel, mentioned the possible
efficacy of DMSO against shingles. Did you mention that?
Dr. SCHERBEL. Yes. Acute herpes oster. I think we reported a few
cases in our regular reports 10 years ago. Acute herpes oster is
responsive to DMSO alone in a high percentage of patients.
We have some patients who don't feel that it really did shorten
the course of their illness, but the acute vesicular lesions dry up
rapidly, but what is most interesting is that we have never seen a
patient with acute herpes oster who continued to have pain after
the acute phase of the illness has subsided.
As you know, that is one of the bad complications of shingles.
Here it is a disease usually of the aged. I think this drug should be
at least approved for this type of condition.
The CHAIRMAN. You apply it to the body?
Dr. SCHERBEL. Just over the lesions, yes.
The CHAIRMAN. Well, I can say I hope it is not a--
Dr. SCHERBEL. Truly a real indication. I know FDA will say if
this is an indication, why hasn't somebody sent a request to study
the drug for oster. The whole problem-
The CHAIRMAN. The doctors say that there is no cure for shin-
gles. My mother had it many years ago. It is just one of those
things you had to forget about apparently.
Dr. JACOB. DMSO plus IDU is prescriptive in Great Britain and
Ireland for shingles.
Dr. SCHERBEL. You don't need the IDU. You can just use DMSO
on shingles. There is a very desirable effect.
The CHAIRMAN. I am advised by the staff that it is legal in
England to use DMSO in treatment of shingles.
Is that correct?
Dr. JACOB. That is correct. It is prescriptive.
The CHAIRMAN. I am sorry. We will have to run over and vote.
We will be right back. It will be 15 or 20 minutes before we can get
back.
[Brief recess.]
The CHAIRMAN. The committee will come to order, please.
We understand Dr. de la Torre has to get away. If we may, Dr.
Paul, we will call Dr. de la Torre as the first witness.
Dr. de la Torre is associate professor of neurosurgery, University
of Miami School of Medicine, which I am very proud to say is
located in my congressional district.
Incidentally, I have an honorary degree from the University of
Miami, so I am pleased to have that further identification.
Dr. de la Torre holds a doctorate in science from the University
of Geneva, and an M.D. from the University of Juarez, Mexico. He
has done experimental research in various applications of DMSO in
spinal cord, head, and cerebral stroke injuries in animals since
1971.
He is presently investigating the use of DMSO in the regenera-
tion of the central nervous system in animals. Dr. John Marlin,
chief of neurosurgery of the University of Chicago School of Medi-
cine has made applications of Dr. de la Torre's findings toward the
use of DMSO in humans.
We are pleased to have you, Dr. de la Torre. We will be glad to
have your statement. If you have a written statement, we would
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