Edward Robitzek
[Staten Island, NY], ca. September 1978
E. H. Robitzek, Physician Who Developed Cure for TB, Archive of 3 ALS & Signed Pamphlets
Archive

An exceedingly rare archive of letters and medical pamphlets signed by Edward Heinrich Robitzek (1912-1984), the lung specialist who developed a cure for tuberculosis through his trial and error experiments with the drug isoniazid. Totaling 8pp, including (3) ALS and (3) signed pamphlets, dated September 1978. The correspondence is addressed to Dr. Seymour Rogers of the American Medical Association, who was then editing a set of encyclopedias titled 'Great Discoveries in American Medicine.' Exhibits varying degrees of light age toning and soiling throughout, with scattered handling marks present. Overall, very good. Phenomenal contents referencing his studies and treatment methods.

The lot includes:

1.) Autograph letter signed, "Edward H. Robitzek," 1p on his personal letterhead, 7.25" x 10.5", Staten Island, NY, September 1, 1978. Reading in part: "…in 1951, Dr. Schnitzer of Hottman- La Roche approached me and said the time for human trials for my drug isoniazid had arrived due to the success I was experiencing in the treatment of animals. Lethal doses would unfortunately have to be administered to my patients by trial and error for determination of toxicity. I selected only terminal patients at first as they had nothing to lose. Remember… I was the head physician at Sea View which was the largest tuberculosis hospital in the world… with over 3,000 patients." Accompanied by its original mailing envelope.

2.) Autograph letter signed, "Edward H. Robitzek," 3pp on his personal letterhead, 7.25" x 10.5", Staten Island, NY, September 22, 1978. Continuing his narrative in the above correspondence, he writes: "…After many deaths… I was finally able to determine that the lethal specie dosages varied from 65 to 1300 mg. Then something else happened: I noticed some patients who had responded positive to isoniazid… developed fatal liver damage from hepatitis. I finally recommended 100 mg after meals (and rarely have I deviated from this)… and noticed no significant hepatitis reoccurrence. Then I realized it… meals was the answer! It is the same with alcoholism… the non-eating alcoholic gets the cirrhosis…."

3.) Research pamphlet entitled 'Chemotherapy of Human Tuberculosis with Hydrazine Derivatives of Isonicotinic Acid'. Reprinted from the January, 1952 issue of The Quarterly Bulletin of Sea View Hospital. 27-55pp. Signed and inscribed on the front cover by Robitzek, in part: "These words are the first published regarding our early clinical studies with these salts of isonicotinic acid. Rimifon, originally known as RO-2-3973 is isoniazid…."

4.) Preliminary report entitled 'Hydrazine Derivatives of Isonicotinic Acid… in the Treatment of Active Progressive Caseous-Pneumonic Tuberculosis.' Reprinted from the American Review of Tuberculosis, Vol. 65, No. 4, April, 1952. 401-428pp. Signed and inscribed on the front cover: "The cases reprinted here were chosen carefully because of the advanced and progressive nature of the disease. We believe that for April 1952 the study, albeit preliminary, was definitive./ September 24, 1978/ Edward H. Robitzek."

5.) Pamphlet entitled 'The Selection of Anti-Microbial Drugs for Patients of Different Categories.' Reprinted from "Diseases of the Chest", Vol. XXIX, No. 2, February, 1956. 3-15pp. Signed and inscribed on the front cover with various underlining within.

6.) Autograph letter signed, "Edward H. Robitzek," 1p on his personal letterhead, 7.25" x 10.5", [Berlin, Maryland], September 1, 1978. Regarding a recent outbreak of Tuberculosis, he writes in part: "Condensing the salient material on a single page is difficult, especially since it embodies many years of work… I didn't really know what was going on until I got down here in Maryland from New York. In 1975, Maryland had the melancholy distinction of having the worst T.B. case rate in the United States."

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