167
works. My personal feeling is that DMSO should be made legal and available to
scleroderma victims.
Due to a staph infection, I have had my right arm amputated just below the
elbow. A direct result of scleroderma.
The baffling disease, scleroderma, causes its victims to seek help from any availa-
ble source. Please continue with your assistance.
Most Sincerely,
Hon. CLAUDE PEPPER,
MARIAN J. CAREY.
JENNIE MELHAM LONG TERM.
EAST WENATCHEE, WASH., April 5, 1980.
Chairman, House Select Committee on Aging,
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.
DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Mrs. Dale Clark requested that I write to you regarding
Melody Clark, an eight year old Downs student, who is taking DMSO.
Melody was transferred to the E.M.R. class in September, 1979 and has main-
tained a steady academic growth.
Because this is my first teaching experience with a Down's child and because my
first-hand knowledge of Melody's performance has been limited to this school year, I
am not qualified to attribute her progress to DMSO. However, in view of Melody's
academic achievements, I would like to see DMSO given a fair testing and evalua-
tion in helping the handicapped. If I can be of any further assistance, please contact
me.
Sincerely yours,
ROSE MULLAN,
Special Education Teacher,
Sterling Middle School.
SALEM, OREG., April 5, 1980.
DEAR SIR: I am writing regarding DMSO. I am 75 years old, veteran and an R.N. I
have a service connected back, 5 operations, plus 2 after my discharge on my back. I
feel that after my spinal fusion in 1950, that I had excellent results, but in the last
few years have had arthritis through my entire spine.
My doctor finally told me that there was just nothing left for him to do, to try
DMSO. He did not tell me how or where I could get it. Tried veterinarians but had
no dog, yes, I had no dog, so I couldn't get it. Finally found a kind gentleman who
told me where I could get it.
Thanks to the Foundation in Portland, I was able to get it, and needless to say,
I'm thankful. I won't say that it has cured any of my aching joints, but I've been
able to stay on my feet, instead of in a wheelchair.
If there is anything that can ease arthritic pain, that effects so many older people,
don't you think it should be given to them?
As far as I'm concerned, there has been no adverse effects. I can't say the same
for aspirin and many other arthritic drugs.
By the way, I've used it internally and externally, it doesn't taste good but, in
tomato juice, I don't mind it. As an act of charity to the millions of people afflicted
with aches and pains, anything as effective yet harmless, should be allowed. Please,
please use your influence to force FDA to okay this priceless remedy. I don't even
consider it medicine or drug, just a remedy.
I picked up the handle of an iron skillet, out of a 450° oven. Grabbed the DMSO
and poured it on. My hand got red, but little pain, no blisters.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
GERTRUDE T. FOX.
ORMOND BEACH, FLA., April 7, 1980.
DEAR SIR: Please see what you can do to get DMSO made available for patients
who need it. Our daughter needs to use it daily as she has Raynaud's disease and
scleroderma.
She has been going to Gainesville now for about 5 years, a doctor up there sent
her to a doctor in Brunswick, Georgia. She was put on the experimental program by
the doctor and DMSO helped her. Gainesville is 115 miles and Brunswick is about
150 miles from where we live, and gas being the price it is, that is a distance to
