The author, a native of South America with a Ph.D. in psychology from the Universidad de Carabobo in Venezuela, describes himself as a freethinker. He has attained a high achievement level in the Rosicrucian order and is clearly familiar with developments in occultic science and medicine. He has written about Ethiopian affairs in his previous books -- "Kebra Nagast" (The Glory of Kings) and "Negus" (Majestic Traditions of Ethiopia) -- which are also published by LMH Publishing House. He has been awarded the Gold Medal... by the Ethiopian Crown Council for his work in the field of Ethiopian History and Culture.

Professor Errol Morrison, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean for Graduate Studies and Research of UWI, has written a Foreword with quite generous support for the directions being pursued in the book. One of his statements reads: "This is a compelling tome, thrilling from cover to cover and completely sates the appetite for information on a variety of issues; freemasonry, narcotrafficking, the Black Death, the Catholic Inquisition and more."

But we return to the topic of the book which is seeking the alchemical cure for cancer.

Cancer is one of the scourges of the modern age though the author argues that this medical problem is not new but occurred during the Middle Ages and before. He goes further and argues that alchemical cures for cancer were known in early historical times and these were based on the traditions and practices of alchemy.

Modern treatments for cancer are many and varied; the common ones today being surgery to remove the cancerous tissue, radiation treatment on the infected tissue or specially developed anti-cancer drugs. In addition, there are emerging today claims that special diets or 'natural treatments' have produced either remission of the cancer or full recovery. However, whatever the treatment the search for a cure goes on. One thing is sure in the overall treatment of cancer and it is this, that early detection gives a much greater chance for a cure. This is why women are urged to do regular breast examinations and cervix tests for the first signs of cancer, and men to have tests for signs of prostate problems, all of which have the greater chance of cure, by early detection.

We may in the review of this publication with its strong references to alchemic tradition, look at two of the streams of alchemic science, which may be described as the physical sciences stream and the biological medical stream.

Modern understandings of Alchemy bring back memories of the search for the 'Philosopher's Stone', which would transform base metal, lead into pure gold and in addition, discover the 'Elixir of Life.'

With regard to the physical sciences stream, modern science tells us that the transformation of base metal lead into gold was a philosopher's dream which could never come true and which is regarded today as bogus science, though the modern transmutation of elements through fission or fusion processes is now well established.

It is unfortunate that Miguel Brooks in his reference to alchemic traditions seems to support the physical sciences claim of the alchemists that lead was transformed into gold for he writes:

"It was the inherited wealth coming partially from the alchemical transmutation of base metal into gold that was achieved during this father's reign, that allowed Philip (King of Spain) to embark on that enterprise (the Armada) by which he hoped to crush Britain's imperial world hegemony." More likely than not, this claim was made by charlatans who hoped to gain favour with the authorities.

The other stream in the practice of historic Alchemy however was the biological stream and this medicinal aspect was an important one with court physicians and alchemists often claiming wondrous cures for many illnesses.

The biological/ medical stream may have a surer foundation in science and there are some interesting observations which may lend some credibility to the claims being made.

The first important observation on the component of the test mixture, and which would seem to bring some potential credibility to the claim of cures for cancer, is the observation that vultures have the capacity to devour carrion and disease bearing bodies of all kinds without themselves becoming sick and dying of that disease. A logical conclusion is that the vulture as a scavenger bird has a mysterious capacity to digest the diseased tissues of those who died of various ailments while itself being unharmed. The idea gives a lead to the use of gastric juices of vultures as a component in a potential cure for cancer (or other disease for that matter). This is an interesting and not an unreasonable scientific deduction which may be worth testing. It is what Professor Morrison suggests ... "as to the possible role of immunotherapy in the treatment of immuno-compromised states such as cancers, HIV/AIDS etc."

The second component of the alchemical test mixture is based on the use of certain plant extracts. The use of plant extracts as medicinals has been known for centuries and should not be surprising.

The magical cures, which were claimed in mediaeval times, were achieved by using a mixture of the gastric juices of vultures with various plant extracts.

The subject of the book is the claim that these cures were replicated in South America. Intertwined with the claimed cancer cure are historical references to events in Mediaeval Europe with the traditions of the alchemists thrown in. There is also a chapter of illustrations which describe many of the symbols used not only in alchemy and in the occult arts, also illustrations of persons involved in the practice of alchemy.

The meeting of Miguel Brooks with Dr Hector Velarde Valdes who is caught by the Jamaican authorities with a pair of shoes loaded with cocaine is quite fortuitous. The author, called in to interpret for the prisoner, develops an increasing friendship with Dr Valdes who then shares with the author the story of his claims for cures for cancer in South America. This fortuitous encounter does raise a number of questions.

The trials by Dr Valdes were done with material supplied form Europe and the initial results were encouraging. In fact, claims for cures were made by Dr Valdes, which are attributed to the kinds of materials, described earlier.

We must ask if these claims are true? If so, can they be repeated? Can the tests be repeated using local materials? For the true test of a scientific experiment is its reproducibility.

In seeking to find an answer to these questions, I was able to make contact with Dr Brooks in St Mary. He says that he is planning, in collaboration with a medical practitioner, to do clinical trials in the year 2004 using local materials but based on the principles outlined above. A critical consideration that emerged from the description of the tests in South America was the need to have the material for testing readily available on a continuous basis. The evidence seems to suggest that the material is not very stable for long periods. Technically it is said to have a short half-life period.

The author, however, in an disclaimer at the beginning of the book states:

"The author does not directly or indirectly diagnose, dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of Alchemical or Occult methods, herbs or any other substance as a form of treatment without medical approval. The intent is only to offer information. In the event you use this information without your doctor's approval you are prescribing for yourself, which is your right, but the publisher and author assume no responsibility. This disclaimer is important in the context of the proposal to develop local testing for a cure for cancer.

Readers will as Professor Morrison mentioned earlier, be taken on a speculative journey with the possibility of research that could lead to new directions. So far the contacts made with a number of international cancer institutes have all been negative with the exception of the Max-PlanckúInstitute in Germany. Only time will tell how this programme will work out.

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