Hemophilia

The blood that runs in the veins of the Bourbons is blue--and once let, it runs and runs. Not simply royal memories but an old, hereditary fact accompanies this family in its exile: hemophilia. Unlike thrones, hemophilia is not transmitted from father to son, but from mother to son. Contrary to popular belief, hemophiliacs do not bleed incessantly, but the flow of blood, once started, takes a longer time to coagulate. Most of the recent treatment depends on the, theory that the elements of hemophilia are present in the female, but are held in check by some female "essence." Injections of placental extract or ovarian extract have been partially successful.

Latest and most unusual treatment for the bleeding is the application of fresh human milk to stubborn wounds. Two young Ohio physicians, Dr. Lester Stepner of Cincinnati and Dr. Sol Taplits of New Richmond, applied the milk to two hemophiliacs, stopped severe cases of bleeding in a short time with only a few ounces of milk. "More research work is needed to isolate and identify the [bloodclotting] principle in human milk," said plump Dr. Stepner last week. "I think it is an autacoid [hormone]. . . . Dr. Taplits thinks it is an enzyme."

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