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of these premature babies die from the illness, some are healed, and 8
some suffer from long-term disabled breathing.
In the last decade, the surfactant substance has been taken from
animals, and has proven to be very beneficial in reducing the death
rate and the rate of complications resulting from this disease. In
coming years, it will be necessary to test for the proper dosage of
surfactant and the number of times it must be administered in order
to significantly influence the clinical course of the premature babies.
We are about to begin a study in which one group will receive a
certain dose of the surfactant, while the second group will receive Section 10:
a larger dose, in order to determine the proper and most beneficial WHat is PikuacH NefesH?
dosage of the surfactant. The material we have today is produced
from pig lung in a liquid form, and administered into the lungs of the
premature baby through the pipe connecting the baby to the respira-
tor. The material has already been given with great success in many
Medical Centers throughout the world.

Dr. Jacob Quint, Department of
Pediatrics and Neonatology

1 AnsweR

Let us begin with the question: Is a tuberculosis patient allowed to
eat pig if he is convinced that it is the remedy for his illness?
Answer: It is a general rule in Jewish law (Orach Chaim, beginning
of #328 and Pri Megadim, ibid) that one is not healed by substances
prohibited by the Torah, except under three basic conditions: a) He
is a dangerously ill patient, b) It is a known remedy or proposed by
an expert physician, and c) there is no other permissible way to heal
his condition.
Regarding the first condition, tuberculosis is considered to be
dangerous. Lack of treatment will hasten one’s death, and it is an
illness that affects the body internally. Regarding the second condi-
tion, Responsa Halachos Ketanos (Vol. 1 #290) cites that some say to
drink donkey milk and milk from an impure animal in order to heal
asthma. He does not view asthma as a dangerous illness, and he says

222 1 Medical-HalacHic Responsa of Rav ZilbeRstein Medications and Heart Valves from Pigs 2 231