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budge on a drug that they admit is non-toxic. And their excuses are very lame. (Had
not it been for a man like Stanley Jacob, who would not give up when threatened
with jail, DMSO would have disappeared long ago. Moreover, his pleasant personal-
ity is a quality that is rare in a man who who is so determined and who is such a
fighter).
But without a Claude Pepper, even Dr. Jacob-and all we others-will not be able
to get the job done.
You can be sure we are behind you, and we shall be grateful for your efforts.
Thanks again,
MOREY BERNSTEIN.
FRESNO, CALIF., April 17, 1980.
Hon. CLAUDE PEPPER,
House Select Committee on Aging,
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.
HON. CLAUDE PEPPER SIR: I am writing to tell you how much I appreciate the fact
your committee is studying the merits of DMSO. I do hope you will see fit to place it
back on the market.
I am a Scleroderma patient and used DMSO for a year on the hardened skin on
my fingers. I regained much of mobility of my hands.
My doctor had wanted me to use DMSO on my fingers several years before I did
and before the skin on my fingers became so hard, but I didn't know where to get
the medicine.
DMSO would really help Scleroderma victims. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mrs. DOROTHY JOHNSTON.
CLATSKANIE, OREG., April 18, 1980.
Hon. CLAUDE PEPPER,
Chairman, House Select Committee on Aging,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR SIR: Regarding the drug DMSO it is my opinion that if this drug was
legalized it would be a blessing to millions of our elderly citizens living on small
pensions. I am a pensioner myself who has suffered in the past from severe pain in
my knees, elbows and shoulders. The use of DMSO on these joints has definitely
relieved the pain, so much so that I feel that DMSO is well worth the $20. a pint I
paid to get it on the black market.
Many of my elderly friends are also using DMSO for stiffness in their hands and
various aches and pains. It has helped them all and none have complained of any
bad side effects.
The A.M.A. and the drug industry have only one reason for wanting to keep
DMSO from the public. That one reason is pure greed. The doctors and the drug
industry know if DMSO is legalized they will lose millions and millions of dollars
now being paid by elderly citizens in pain for more expensive forms of treatment
which will not give them the relief from their pain that DMSO will. The doctors and
the drug industry in this country should hang their heads in shame for placing
their obsessive love for money above the needs of the elderly and poor who must
live with pain each day because they cannot afford to do otherwise.
Clatsop County, Oregon, where I live has long been noted for its slow growth and
limited economy. Many people here are just scraping by and having to make every
cent count. These people would not be paying $20. a pint for DMSO if it didn't help
them. And if DMSO is harmful to humans why is it legal in so many other
countries?
DMSO should be legalized now without any further delay by special interests.
They have had over 10 years to test this drug and I am sure they would like to stall
for another 10 if they could get away with it. I figure its up to you to see that they
don't. Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
DOUGLAS G. BURNS.
