—My reasons for failing to include a discussion of hyposensitization therapy are twofold. First, in its usual context, hyposensitization is used for the purpose of preventing asthma rather than for treating it. Second, as you outlined in your letter, hyposensitization is not a recent advance, but a method that has been used for more than 70 years.
I am aware of the differences of opinion concerning the advantages of hyposensitization in the adult asthmatic patient. Studies can be cited, including those of Bruce et al,1 which question its efficacy. Other studies document the usefulness of hyposensitization in certain cases.2-4 I am not anxious to enter this controversy, which has existed for many years. I therefore limited my discussion to the drug therapy of asthma, emphasizing recent advances.