1. The value of bone marrow aspiration in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma was confirmed and discussed. This procedure should be utilized in all patients suspected of having this disease.

2. The importance of a reliable technic of studying bone marrow obtained by aspiration was stressed, and a method emphasizing certain important features described in detail.

3. The theory that multiple myeloma is derived from a dysplastic line of plasma cells originating in the bone marrow was supported by this study.

4. The original observation of Snapper has been confirmed, that after treatment of multiple myeloma patients with stilbamidine, large basophilic inclusion bodies can be demonstrated in the cytoplasm of a majority of myeloma cells obtained from bone marrow aspiration and stained by Wright’s stain. This was produced on a nonrestricted as well as on a low animal protein diet.

5. Relief of pain was produced in two out of five patients with multiple myeloma treated with stilbamidine. One patient who was relieved of pain was on a low animal protein diet while the diet of the second was unrestricted. In both caess basophilic inclusion bodies appeared in the myeloma cells following treatment. Stilbamidine therapy failed to allevaite pain or to produce basophilic granulation in the myeloma cells in three patients who exhibited hyperglobulinemia.

6. Relief of pain and vertigo occurred in one patient treated with stilbamidine while osteolytic lesions were observed to enlarge by roentgenological examination.

7. Trigeminal neuropathy with severe discomfort still continued six months following treatment in one patient.

8. An arrest or remission in the course of the disease was not obtained in five cases of multiple myeloma treated with stilbamidine.

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© 1949 by American Society of Hematology, Inc.
1949
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