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The impetus for this article was provided by Ing. I. M. Pautkin and Dr. D. N. Matveev (for which I am grateful to them) the following works

The choice of non-drug methods for the treatment of systemic scleroderma is currently very limited. Several studies show that extracorporeal photochemotherapy can improve kidney and lung function and reduce skin fibrosis in patients with systemic scleroderma. We studied the dynamics of clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with systemic scleroderma with an assessment before and after 12 months against the background of complex treatment, which included programmed extracorporeal photochemotherapy. Indications for inclusion in the study was the ineffectiveness of standard therapy with glucocorticoids and cytostatics or the impossibility of their use, as well as signs of an unfavorable prognosis of the disease: diffuse form, high skin count (14), rapid progression with a significant initial decrease in the glomerular filtration rate, forced vital capacity, high immunological activity (high titer of antinuclear factor and positivity for antibodies to Scl-70). When evaluating the results of complex treatment, a good clinical effect was observed in all patients: the induration of the skin decreased, the functionality of the lungs and kidneys increased. A significant decrease in the disease activity index was noted. These positive changes were the basis for a decrease in the daily dose of glucocorticoids. Significantly significant changes were observed in a decrease in the immunological activity of the disease: levels of C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and immunoglobulin G, antinuclear factor titer and all types of circulating immune complexes. The results of our study confirm the data of other studies that demonstrated the positive effect of extracorporeal photochemotherapy as a component of the complex treatment of systemic scleroderma.

The results of complex treatment with the programmed procedures of extracorporeal photopheresis and methotrexate in patients with psoriatic arthritis for 12 months are presented. It has been established that program extracorporeal photopheresis in combination with basic therapy with methotrexate in patients with psoriatic arthritis have a significant effect on the relief of articular syndrome (reduction of morning stiffness, pain intensity, joint swelling). It was revealed that the inclusion of programmed extracorporeal photopheresis and methotrexate in the complex treatment of psoriatic arthritis reduces the level of circulating low molecular weight, medium molecular weight and high molecular weight immune complexes and in most cases leads to clinical and immunological remission. This is confirmed by a decrease in complaints of the severity of articular syndrome and a decrease in the clinical and laboratory activity of the disease (a significant decrease in the level of C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate). A scheme has been developed for the programmed use of extracorporeal photopheresis procedures in the complex treatment of psoriatic arthritis, which consists of 2 procedures every other day with an interval of 2,5-3 months for 12 months. Combined therapy with the programmed application of extracorporeal photopheresis procedures and methotrexate prolongs the period of disease remission and can be recommended for patients with psoriatic arthritis with high activity, insufficient effect of basic therapy and intolerance to higher doses of immunosuppressive drugs.

Blood traction of the sciatic nerve in sciatica so often encountered belongs to the number of rarely practiced operations. Without going into the history of the issue, I will only remind that as early as 1906, at the VI Congress of Russian Surgeons, Wenglovsky, making a report on this topic, based on his own observations, gave a favorable review of the operation and promoted its use. Nevertheless, as far as I am acquainted with the Russian surgical press, I cannot say that Russian surgeons have followed this appeal. The operation in question continues to be unused. Meanwhile, the agony and frequency of the disease, as well as powerlessness of therapy and inaccessibility of mud cure for the majority of patients, force to look for a quick and reliable remedy for its elimination.

With prevention, it is unsuccessful ... This is the general voice of the participants in the 2nd Meeting of the Preventive Departments, which took place in Leningrad in May 1928. Indeed, the picture of the state of the preventive departments in the localities unfolded in the debate is very disappointing. Even in the cheerful opening speech of the invariably cheerful Comrade N. A. Semashko, alarming notes sounded: The situation with our preventive departments is unfavorable, difficult.