Editorial: "The bramble bush". The transmissibility of Hodgkin disease.

Abstract

Back in 1959 when I was a fellow in hematology at the old, red brick county hospital in Salt Lake City, a singular incident occurred. It was one of those chilling events that linger in the cerebral backwaters for the rest of your life. Over a period of ten days, half a dozen of my patients with Hodgkin disease called me in varying states of anguish and outrage. Between tears and clenched teeth came the message: I had been lying to them! Indeed, since their disease was invariably painful and rapidly fatal , why had I held out false hope; why should they continue to take the appalling and worthless medication I had foisted on them? After a few quiet words, things simmered down and were sorted out. They had all seen a motion picture called Bramble Bush. I rushed out to see it. The film was one of those