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APPENDIX 4
CLAUDE PEPPER, FLA.
CHAIRMAN
EDWARD R. ROYBAL, CALIF.
MARIO BIAGGI, N.Y.
IKE F. ANDREWS, N.C.
JOHN L. BURTON, CALIF.
DON BONKER, WASH.
THOMAS J. DOWNEY, N.Y.
JAMES J. FLORIO, N.J.
HAROLD E. FORD, TENN.
WILLIAM J. HUGHES, NJ.
MARILYN LLOYD BOUQUARD, TENN.
JIM SANTINI, NEV.
ROBERT F. DRINAN, MASS.
DAVID W. EVANS, IND.
MARTY RUSSO, ILL..
STANLEY N, LUNDINE, NY.
MARY ROSE OAKAR, OHIO
ELIZABETH HOLTZMAN, NY.
JIM LLOYD, CALIF.
THOMAS A LUKEN, OHIO
WES WATKINS, OKLA
LAMAR GUDGER, N.C.
LR GERALDINE A. FERRARO, N.Y.
BEVERLY B BYRON, MD,
WILLIAM R. RATCHFORD, CONN.
DAN MICA, FLA.
EDWARD J. STACK, FLA.
HENRY A. WAXMAN, CALIF.
MIKE SYNAR, OKLA.
EUGENE V. ATKINSON, PA.
Dear Doctor:
U.S. House of Representatives
Select Committee on Aging
Washington, D.C. 20515
TELEPHONE: (202) 225-9375
January 29, 1980
CHARLES E. GRASSLEY, IOWA
RANKING MINORITY MEMBER
WILLIAM C. WAMPLER, VA.
JOHN PAUL HAMMERSCHMIDT, ARK.
JAMES ABDNOR, S. DAK.
MATTHEW J. RINALDO, N.J.
MARC L. MARKS, PA.
RALPH S. REGULA, OHIO
ROBERT K. DORNAN, CALIF.
HAROLD C. HOLLENBECK, NJ.
S. WILLIAM GREEN, N.Y.
ROBERT (BOB) WHITTAKER, KANS.
NORMAN D. SHUMWAY, CALIF.
LARRY J. HOPKINS, KY.
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, MAINE
DANIEL E. LUNGREN, CALIF.
CHARLES H. EDWARDS !!!
CHIEF OF STAFF
YOSEF J. RIEMER
DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF
VAL J. HALAMANDARIS
SENIOR COUNSEL AND
DIRECTOR OF OVERSIGHT
JAMES A. BRENNAN
ASST. TO THE CHAIRMAN
WALTER A. GUNTHARP, PH. D.
MINORITY STAFF DIRECTOR
Your assistance in a matter of some concern to the House Select
Committee on Aging would be appreciated.
As you know, one of the major health problems in the nation, and
particularly for older Americans, is arthritis. Every year millions
of dollars are spent on quack remedies and precious little on legiti-
mate research. This misdirection of funds is unfortunate because we
may be on the verge of major breakthroughs.
For the last 15 years, a controversy has arisen about the value
of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for treating arthritis in humans. While
a number of foreign countries have approved the drug for this and
other purposes, the United States' approval of the drug has been more
limited. Nationally, the drug may only be used to treat interstitial
cystitis in humans and for veterinary purposes. Two States, Florida
and Oregon, have enacted laws to legalize this product for broader
human use.
While we have learned that there is both widespread and legal use
of this drug in veterinary medicine, and a growing use in professional
-athletics, some critics still decry DMSO as at best, useless, and at
worst, "dangerous.
May we have the benefit of your experience with DMSO? Would you
please take a moment to complete the attached sheet and return it to
me at your earliest convenience?
We appreciate your assistance in this matter.
With warm regards, and
Believe me,
Always sincerely,
Enclosure
Claude Pepper
Chairman
