From the book "You Don't Have to Die" by Harry M. Hoxsey
1956, Milestone
Books, Inc.,
Chapter 4, The Hoxsey Treatment
The Hoxsey Treatment
The Hoxsey method essentially is chemotherapy. For more than 50 years my
father and I have been treating cancer in human beings -- not in mice or
rats -- with a great degree of success by means of chemical compounds and
without the use of surgery, radium or x-ray.
We consider cancer a systemic disease. We don't pretend to know its
fundamental cause (no one else does, either, at this writing). But we are
convinced that without exception it occurs only in the presence of a
profound physiological change in the constituents of body fluids and a
consequent chemical imbalance in the organism. This concept, based on
extensive practical experience in treating thousands of cancer cases, is in
full accord with medically-accepted research outlined in the previous
chapter.
For example, a boy bites his tongue in football practice and a sore appears;
later it turns out that he has cancer of the tongue. In the course of the
same year hundeds of other boys undoubtedly bit their tongues in precisely
the same fashion, yet they did not develop cancer. It would appear obvious
that in this case the bite was merely the mechanism that triggered the
outbreak of the disease. Its real cause must be sought elsewhere, in the
basic body chemistry and cell metabolism of the afflicted lad.
We believe that the organism's attempt to adapt itself to the new and
abnormal environment produced by the chemical imbalance causes certain
changes (mutations) in newly born cells of the body. The mutated cells
differ radically in appearance and function from their parent cells.
Eventually a viciously competent cell evolves which finds the new
environment eminently suitable to survival and rapid self-reproduction.
These cells are what is known as cancer.
It follows that if the constitution of body fluids can be normalized and the
original chemical balance in the body restored, the environment again will
cease to multiply and eventually they will die. Then if vital organs have
not been too seriously damaged by the malignancy (or by surgery or
irradiation) the entire organism will recover normal health.
That in belief is the theory of the Hoxsey treatment. We are convinced that
cancer cannot be cured successfully as an isolated phenomenon, unrelated to
basic body processes. We attempt to get at the roots of the disorder, rather
than deal merely with its end result. Our primary effort is to restore the
body to physiological normalcy.
We have a basic medicine which, taken orally, accomplishes this purpose. It
stimulates the elimination of toxins which are poisoning the system, therby
corrects the abnormal blood chemistry and normalizes cell metabolism. Its
ingredients are not secret. It contains potassium iodide combined with some
or all of the following inorganic substances, as the individual case may
demand: licorice, red clover, burdock root, stillingia root, barberis root,
poke root, cascara, Aromatic USP 14, prickly ash bark, buckhorn bark.
It is worth noting the potassium iodide is commonly used in chronic diseases
like syphilis to dissolve fibrous tissue in lesions caused by these
diseases, and as preparatory action for actual treatment with arsenicals,
bismuth and mercury, etc. And that the synthetic anti-coagulant Dicumarol
derives from spoiled clover.
We prescribe above medication to all cases of cancer, internal and external
(Except where there is evidence of latent arrested tuberculosis, in which
instance the use of potassium iodide is contraindicated). The exact
ingredients and dosage vary, depending on the individual patient's general
condition, the location of the cancer and the extent of previous treatment.
Until recently our medicine was taken in liquid form. Experience
demonstrated that it was virtually impossible to standardize dosage in this
form; each patient's concept of "a full teaspoon" varied considerably.
Therefore last year we arranged with a reputable pharmaceutical firm to put
up an improved formula in the form of pills, and these are now standard at
our clinic.
In our laboratory we are able to demonstrate that the blood chemistry of
patients does undergo definite change as the result of this medicine. And to
some extent we also are able to show a change in the activity of the cells,
as treatment progresses. Unfortunately the refusal of organized medicine to
permit scientific investigation of our treatment in medically-approved
laboratories has prevented any comprehensive study to determine specifically
how these changes are brought about. And we have been too busy treating
cancer victims -- and fighting court battles to keep our clinic open -- to
spare the time, personnel and facilities for objective study.
In the near future we expect to have a full scientific report on the Hoxsey
treatment and its effect upon blood and cell chemistry in the human body. A
non-profit cancer research foundation affiliated with our clinic recently
was chartered by the state of Texas. It already has begun work on the above
project.
We have another type of medication which we apply locally in external cases.
Its purpose is to hold the spread of the disease and the speed of necrosis
(death) of cancer cells. It is employed either as a yellow powder, a red
paste or a clear solution, in accordance with the location and type of
cancer. Their formulas are not secret, either. The powder contains arsenic
sulphide, yellow precipitate, sulfur and talc; the red paste has antimony
trisulphide, zinc chloride and bloodroot; the liquid is Trichloro-Acetic
Acid.
All of these are escharotics, and in one form or another were commonly used
by the medical profession in the treatment of external cancer long before
the development of "more scientific" (and more lucrative) x-ray and radium
treatment. We have adopted techniques which result in effective therapy with
much less pain and mutilation than that caused by surgery or irradiation.
The yellow powder employed in our clinic is highly selective; it reacts only
on malignant tissue, does not affect normal tissue. The paste and liquid
forms are not selective. however, we are able to localize their effect by
erecting a vaseline or zinc oxide fence around the area to be treated, thus
avoiding damage to normal tissue.
In practice we have found that a small amount of our compounds, when placed
on a large cancerous mass, cause a chain reaction which extends an inch or
two beyond the point of application. The mass dies, dries, separates from
normal healthy tissue and falls out.
In fact, organized medicine has conceded that we cure external cancer! (See
Chapter 15).
In addition to two main groups of medicines I have discussed here, we follow
standard medical procedure in the treatment of subsidiary disorders or
diseases which may contribute to the normal blood chemistry of patients: for
example venereal diseases, kidney ailments, etc.
Thus the Hoxsey method of treating cancer is a combination of three
elements: internal medicine, external compounds and supportive treatment.
There is nothing secretive or complicated about it. Any qualified physician
who knows the ingredients, has learned the combination and dosage most
effective in each type of case and has studied their application in our
clinic, can go home and treat his own patients with equal success. A number
of doctors, as we shall see later, already have done so.
Now suppose that you are suffering from cancer, and you decide to take the
Hoxsey treatment. We do not prescribe medication or send it to patients we
have not examined, so you will have to come to the Hoxsey Clinic. What is
the procedure, how do our facilities compare with those of orthodox,
medically-approved institutions?
You will find the clinic a clean, white, modern building about a mile from
the heart of downtown Dallas. It contains 60 rooms including 5 waiting
rooms; 10 individual treating rooms; 2 fully-equipped laboratories; a drug
dispensary and pharmacy; 3 x-ray units for diagnostic purposes; an emergency
room equipped with the latest apparatus for administration of oxygen, plasma
and glucose; medical consultation rooms, administration and business
offices, Incidentally, our laboratories were approved by the Government for
the training of GI veterans.
Our medical staff at this writing consists of 7 physicians headed by Dr.
Charles P. Barberee. Under him are Dr. Donald Watt, a certified
roentgenologist; Dr. William Stokes, in charge of the external department;
Dr. D.C. Logan, Dr. Alfred H. Staffa and Dr. Benjamin H. Harry, all assigned
to internal cases. All of these are graduates of leading osteopathic
institutions and are duly qualified and licensed to practice medicine
without restriction in the state of Texas, as well as other states. Another
staff member, Dr. W. F. Pickett, M.D, is a graduate of Baylor University and
at this writing still a member of the Dallas County Medical Society.
Assisting them are 26 nurses, 8 x-ray technicians and 5 laboratory
technicians.
Entering the clinic you sign the register at the reception desk and are
directed to the main waiting room, where you will usually find between 100
and 125 patients. Some like you are here for the first time (we process
approximately 150 new patients per week); others are in various stages of
treatment and report for periodic examination; still others, discharged as
cured, have come in for their periodic check-up.
The routine for all new patients begins with an interview by a nurse who
takes down your complete medical history. She inquires about previous
diagnosis, biopsy and treatment, including the names of doctors and
pathologists whom you've consulted. (Nearly all our patients have had a
diagnosis of cancer or a biopsy before they arrive, most of them have
undergone treatment by surgery, x-ray or radium.) She lists all the symptoms
of your complaint such as pain, bleeding, loss of appetite, inability to
sleep, nervousness, etc. She questions you about other illnesses and
When this is completed you are sent to the laboratory for tests. These
include blood count and analysis, urinalysis, gastric analysis,
bacteriological tests and any others which the doctor who has studied you
history consider necessary.
Then you take your turn in one of the x-ray rooms where a full series of
x-ray studies is taken. Our x-ray photographic equipment is the finest and
most modern available. It includes three Mattern (two 100×100 and one
200×200) x-ray machines and stereoscopic apparatus. Our darkroom processes
an average of 150 films (14×17) per day.
Next comes a thorough physical examination by one of our doctors. He will
probe the affected areas, attempt to determine by palpation and special
examining instruments the location and extent of internal lesions are
various stages of treatment.
Your completed record then goes to the doctors' consultation room where it
is considered by the clinic's Medical Director, assisted by the examining
doctor, the roentgenologist and other members of the staff. Your x-rays go
up on a battery of reading boxes, then are carefully studied in the
stereoscopic viewer. Our doctors do not accept on faith any previous
diagnosis you may have had; their final verdict is based on the sum total of
the following:
1. Your case history. The symptoms of most cancers are so characteristic
that a detailed list of your complaints may be sufficient for a strong
presumption of cancer.
2. Your laboratory tests. Increased acid phosphates content of the blood is
a commonly-accepted indication of cancer of the prostate; excess of
albumoses in the blood and urine is a valid sign of myeloma of the bone,
etc, etc.
3. Your x-ray studies. These are especially important in determining cancer
of the lung, stomach, colon, intestines, kidneys, bladder, bone, brain, etc.
4. Your physical examination. one of the outstanding cancer authorities in
this country, Dr. George T. Pack, has written:
"At least 50 percent of all cancers are visible on inspection or within
reach of palpation by an examining finger; at least 25 percent more may be
seen by the use of special examining instruments inserted within the
orifices of the body."
Our diagnostic procedure has been attacked because it does not include
biopsy. Medical authorities assert that a positive diagnosis of malignancy
can be made only after pathological examination of tissue under a
microscope.
Now it is fairly easy to take a sample of tissue from the surface of the
body. But to take it from the interior of the body is quite complicated. It
can be obtained by an electric snare, or by syringe aspiration; the most
common procedure is a surgical operation, in which a sample of tissue is cut
out with the scalpel.
Many highly respected medical authorities have opposed biopsies on the
grounds that the very act of cutting into cancerous tissue may release
malignant cells in the blood stream, bringing about metastases in cases
where it has not already occurred. In the end this may cost the patient his
life.
For example Dr. C. H. Mayo, the famous surgeon, once wrote in the AMA
Journal (Vol. 2, p. 213):
"When they cut out the section and send it away for examination, they have
first endangered the person's life through delay; they have next endangered
his life through aggravating and stimulating the malignant growth."
A biopsy can verify malignancy and determine its degree, but it will not
determine the extent of spread. As a matter of fact, the extent of growth
and the spread (metastases) are far more important for prognosis and
treatment than the particular grade of cancer presented.
Moreover biopsies are not as reliable as most medical authorities would have
us believe. They are as fallible as the doctor who takes them, and the
pathologist who reads them. Even when taken by reputable surgeons and
analyzed by a competent pathologist, they may be disputed. If negative, it
may be proven that the surgeon missed the malignancy by a fraction of an
inch. If positive, it may be demonstrated later -- after a limb or an
important organ has been amputated -- that the pathologist's analysis was
"in error," the tissue was not malignant after all! This is so common that
no pathologist worth his salt will accept as definitive a biopsy report by
another pathologist, however brilliant. And conflicting analyses of the same
tissue by different pathologists are every day occurrences.
The result may be tragic. One such instance was related to me recently by a
doctor who attended a surgical operation in a well-known New York hospital.
A sample of suspect tissue was taken and rushed to the hospital's
pathological laboratory. Two pathologists resected it and examined it under
the microscope. One said it was definitely malignant, the other declared
just as definitely that it was non-malignant. The patient was still on the
operating table, so another tissue sample was taken. While the two
pathologists were examining it -- and still debating -- the patient died!
Under pressure to prove to the medical profession that patients treated at
the Hoxsey Clinic actually did have cancer, at one time we took samples of
tissue from patients and submitted them to AMA-recognized pathological
laboratories for analysis. It is noteworthy that in every instance the
biopsy report confirmed our clinical diagnosis. This practice ended when the
AMA stepped in and forced the pathologists to discontinue their dealings
with our clinic. We then employed a qualified pathologist to perform the
same work in our own laboratories, only to learn that organized medicine
refused to accept our biopsy reports.
With this convincing demonstration that we would never satisfy our medical
opponents, no matter what proof we offer, we stopped worrying about biopsies
and concentrated on improving other diagnostic techniques.
The fact is, most of our patients already have had biopsies before they come
to us for treatment. Moreover we seldom get a case of cancer in its early
stages, when diagnosis is particularly difficult. The great majority of our
patients are terminal cases who have come to us after long and unsuccessful
treatment by conventional methods; by the time we see them the cancer is so
far advanced that its symptoms are unmistakable. Another point: the thorough
diagnostic procedure outlined earlier usually presents our doctors with
enough data to insure a correct diagnosis.
I might add that each of our doctors sees more cases of cancer in a single
week than the average practitioner sees in lifetime. And they are so careful
that on numerous occasions patients who have come to us with a diagnosis of
cancer by their own doctors have been informed that the latter were
mistaken; the patient suffered from chronic colitis, ulcers, non-malignant
prostate or rectal conditions, etc.
Thus we finally arrive at the diagnosis in your case. Both diagnosis and
prognosis are recorded on your chart. Assuming that we have found cancer,
the prognosis depends upon your general condition, the site and type of
cancer and the extent of irreparable damage you already have suffered. These
same factors (as already stated) determine the exact medication and dosage
recommended in your individual case.
The examining doctor frankly discusses our findings with you. If the
prognosis is "poor," you may be accepted on a trial basis. This means that
you will be given our treatment for a month; at the end of that time you
must come back to the clinic for further examination and tests; if you have
failed to show any response to the medication, we will then decide whether
to continue or drop it. However, if you decide not to go ahead with our
treatment, all you owe us are laboratory fees (which incidentally compare
favorably with charges for the same services in any other clinic or
laboratory). No charge what ever is made for consultation.
Suppose you decide to take the treatment. If there are cancerous lesions on
the surface of your body, you go upstairs to the "external" treating rooms
where the powder, salve or clear solutions prescribed in your case is
applied. You are also given a prescription for the particular version of our
basic internal formula recommended in your case, plus prescriptions for such
supportive treatment as may be required. All these prescriptions are filled
in our own dispensary. If yours is an internal cancer, you bypass the
external treatment and get your supply of internal medication.
The routine outlined here usually takes the better part of two days. When it
is completed you go to the business office to discuss the financial
arrangements with our business manager or his assistant. The question of
fees is never raised by any of our employees until you are ready to leave.
You are informed that we do not sell medication; we set a flat fee on the
full course of treatment, depending on the severity of you case. In any case
our maximum charge is ＄400, regardless of the length of treatment and the
ability or willingness of the patient to pay more. An additional moderate
charge is made to cover the cost of laboratory tests and x-ray studies, Any
patient discharged as cured by our clinic is entitled to periodic check-ups
without further cost throughout his life.
Statistics show that the average cancer victim (or his family) spends more
than ten times ＄400 for conventional treatment. Further comment as regards
our fee would be superfluous.
If you cannot pay the entire fee we have set at once, you may make
arrangements to pay it in monthly installments. If you present a letter from
you clergyman, doctor or local authorities stating that you are financially
unable to pay anything for treatment, we will treat you without cost.
According to our records approximately 25 percent of all patients treated at
this clinic are charity cases. We never turn away any worthy cancer victim
because he (or she) cannot afford treatment.
One of the mischievous lies broadcast about our clinic is that we promise
patients we will cure them. Before you leave you will be required to sign
the following statement on your case history:
"It is expressly agreed and understood by the undersigned parties that the
Hoxsey Cancer does not guarantee to cure any ailment or disease for which I
may be treated."
No reputable doctor or medical in situation will guarantee to cure cancer.
We don't have to guarantee a cure; we stand on our record of thousands of
case successfully treated over a period of more than 30 years.
You return to your home and take the medication as prescribed. (There are no
provisions for in-patients at our clinic; bed-ridden cases are accommodated
at nearby nursing homes and private hospitals.) You will be directed to
return to Dallas for further tests, x-ray studies and examination at
intervals of one, two or three-month periods depending on your condition.
When do we consider our patients cured?
As a typical external case take H. W. Robbins of Rush Springs, Okla. He
first came to our clinic April 1948 with a large sore on the lower lip. A
biopsy taken at that time revealed epidermoid carcinoma Grade 2. Two months
after he was put on our treatment, the cancer dried up and fell out. Five
months later clean scar tissue had entirely filled the hole in his lip. When
extensive tests showed no evidence of malignancy he was discharged as
"clinically cured." He came back for regular check ups. After three years
without a recurrence of the malignancy we considered him cured. At this
writing he is still alive and well.
As a typical internal case take Mrs. Laura Bullock of Macon, Georgia. She
first came to our clinic in November 1953 with a biopsy report showing
cancer of the rectum. Her doctor said it was inoperable. She was having as
many as 19 hemorrhages a day ,during the preceding year had received a total
of 152 blood transfusions, was unable to do any of her household chores. A
week after beginning our treatment the hemorrhages ceased; within two weeks
she could get around the house without difficulty; within four months she
gained 26 Ibs. In April 1954, physical examination, laboratory tests and
x-rays showed no evidence of cancer any where in her system, and we
discharged her as "clinically cured." She is directed to come back every
year for a check-up. If at the end of five years there has been no
recurrence of bleeding, pain or other symptoms of the disease, and she
continues to lead a normal life, and our tests fail to turn up any signs of
cancer, we will consider her absolutely cured.
Of course we don't cure them all. Many unfortunates come to us after they've
undergone maximum surgery (as one patient remarked, "After a while you run
out of lungs!") and taken the limit of x-ray or radium. The prognosis by our
doctors is "hopeless." We inform the patient of the seriousness of his
condition, tell him all that we can hope to do for him is to prevent further
extension of the disease and relieve him of pain. If he still insists on
taking the treatment, we give it to him -- frequently without charge. We do
not reject any case, however hopeless, if the patient wishes us to treat
him. These are calculated risks, and more often than not we fail to save
them.
Frequently patients with "poor" prognoses do not recover. Occasionally a
patient with a "fair" prognosis refuses to die and astounds everyone by
making a miraculous recovery.
In all medical history no cure for any disease has ever proven 100 percent
effective. We don't contend publicly or privately that ours is. But when our
records are finally evaluated we are confident that they will demonstrate
that we cure a far greater percentage of cancer -- including so-called
"terminal cases" -- than surgery, x-ray or any other method now know to
medical science.
We are not alone in that belief. Nearly every medical man who has visited
our clinic, observed our treatment, checked our records and talked with our
patients has reached the same conclusion.
Last year a group of ten physicians from all over the nation assembled at
our clinic for an independent, impartial investigation of our treatment.
They spent two days inspecting the facilities, going over hundreds of case
histories and interrogating patients and former patients. On April 12, 1954,
they issued a unanimous statement declaring, in part:
"We find as a fact that our investigation has demonstrated to our
satisfaction that the Hoxsey Cancer Clinic at Dallas, Texas, is successfully
treating pathologically proven cases of cancer, both internal and external,
without the use of surgery, radium or x-ray.
"Accepting the standard yardstick of cases that have remained symptom-free
in excess of five to six years after treatment, established by medical
authorities, we have seen sufficient cases to warrant such a conclusion.
Some of those presented before us have been free of symptoms as long as
twenty-four years, and the physical evidence in dictates that they are all
enjoying exceptional health at this time.
"We as a Committee feel that the Hoxsey treatment is superior to such
conventional methods of treatment as x-ray, radium, and surgery. We are
willing to assist this Clinic in any way possible in bringing this treatment
to the American public. We are willing to use it in our office, in our
practice on our own patients when, at our discretion, it is deemed
necessary.
"The above statement represents the unanimous findings of this Committee. In
testimony there of we hereby attach our signatures."
The names signed to this statement, and the place where each physician
practices medicine, are as follows:
S. Edgar Bond. M.D..................Richmond, Indiana
Willard G. Palmer, M.D..............Seattle, Washington
Hans Kalm,M.D.......................Aiken, So. Carolina
A. C. Timbs, M.D....................Knoxville, Tennessee
Frederick H. Thurston, M.D, D.O.....Boise, Idaho
E. E. Loffler, M.D..................Spokane, Washington
H. B. Mueller, M.D..................Cleveland, Ohio
R. C. Bowie, M.D....................Fort Morgan, Colorado
Benjamin F. Bowers, M.D.............Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
Roy O. Yeats, M.D...................Hardin, Montana
There is one essential difference between the Hoxsey method and conventional
cancer treatments which cannot be demonstrated in the laboratory, brought
out by investigation or proven by research. Nevertheless we are sure that it
plays an important role in the amazing results obtained at our clinic.
We offer the condemned victim what other doctors deny him: hope, and a
fighting chance to conquer the dread disease
They tell him: "You are going to die."
We say: "You have a chance to live!"
We are not faith healers. But modern medicine has come to recognize a strong
link between the emotional state of a patient and his physical condition.
Doctors admit that emotional processes, acting through physical channels,
may cause ulcers and even more serious organic disturbances. Psychosomatic
medicine holds forth the hope that the emotional processes, if properly
channeled, may help a patient to overcome many physical ailments.
Cancer is not only a disease, it is also a psychosis. Tell a victim he is "
hopeless" (or let him discover it from his family) and the will to live
becomes paralyzed. Show him a way out ,strip him of fear and hysteria, give
him even a forlorn hope, and the will to live is stimulated. It becomes a
powerful ally in the battle against death.
End of the chapter
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