SEMAINE DU MONDE

Magazine Overview

Title: SEMAINE DU MONDE
Issue Date: May 30 - June 5, 1953
Issue Number: 30
Volume: N Série
Publisher: Semaine du Monde
Country: France
Language: French
Cover Headline: LONDRES A LA VEILLE DU JOUR "C"

This issue of Semaine du Monde, dated May 30 to June 5, 1953, features a prominent cover story focused on London in anticipation of 'C' Day, accompanied by imagery of royal crowns. Inside, the magazine explores two significant topics: a controversial biological approach to combating cancer and a new, speculative theory regarding the 1908 Tunguska event.

Biological Approach to Fighting Cancer

The article details the work of biologist Roger Brumaux des Allées, who has developed two products: Sux and T.M.B. Sux is derived from the juices of chicken embryos, while T.M.B. is described as a 'serum with mineral catalysts and vitamin complex,' prepared from the blood of young horses, which des Allées claims possesses rejuvenating properties.

Des Allées presented his products to the public in 1950 through press advertising, marketing them as 'extracts of life capable of prolonging existence.' He stated that his product was an 'aliment' (food supplement) rather than a 'médicament' (medicine). However, numerous individuals reported feeling relieved by his method, and rumors spread that T.M.B. could cure cancer.

Des Allées himself clarified that T.M.B. does not cure cancer but 'modifies the terrain in such a way that its occurrence becomes much more improbable.' This claim has garnered support from several physicians who testified on his behalf during a trial in Poitiers. The trial concerned accusations of illegal practice of medicine and pharmacy against des Allées.

Among the doctors who testified were Dr. Le Guern, Dr. Bochin, Dr. Jamot, Dr. Bastard, and Dr. Le Gall. The article notes that the tribunal had appointed an expert whose conclusions would be eagerly awaited. The public's reaction is presented as disappointment that the medical and pharmaceutical orders are focusing on commercial competition rather than investigating the potential of des Allées' products as a progress in the fight against cancer, for which no specific cure is currently known.

The treatment cost 14,680 francs for twenty-six shipments of embryonic juice and horse sucs, with des Allées reportedly making a profit of only 6%.

New Theory on the 1908 Tunguska Event

Another significant article presents a surprising theory by Soviet astrophysicist M. B. Liapounov concerning the 1908 Tunguska event. Liapounov suggests that the phenomenon was not caused by a meteorite but by a cosmic vessel.

He recounts the event: on the morning of June 30, 1908, a colossal, cylindrical object resembling a giant shuttle appeared in the sky over central Siberia. It moved from southeast to northwest, descending rapidly. An immense explosion occurred, flattening an estimated 80 million trees over an area of 2,000 square kilometers. The blast was felt up to 1,000 kilometers away, and seismic stations worldwide registered the shock. A column of flame and molten metal reportedly rose 20,000 meters high, and its heat was felt 85 kilometers away. The atmospheric wave circled the Earth for 100 hours.

Liapounov dismisses the meteorite theory due to the lack of any recovered fragments, despite multiple expeditions by Professor L. Koulik and others using sensitive equipment. These expeditions found only uprooted and calcined trees, some left standing but stripped of branches, and craters, but no metallic debris.

Liapounov's hypothesis posits that the object was a spacecraft. He suggests that the vessel may have had engine trouble, forcing it to attempt an emergency landing. The immense speed and atmospheric friction caused the hull to heat up intensely. The use of reaction engines to slow down resulted in intermittent bursts of sound, likened to cannon fire, and caused the destruction of trees in its path. The pattern of destruction—trees uprooted and laid in fan-like patterns, or left standing but stripped—is explained by the varying intensity and direction of the engine exhaust gases as the vessel lost stability.

The explosion of the vessel's fuel and pulverized material is believed to have caused the unusual atmospheric luminosity observed for weeks across Europe and Asia, including brilliant auroras and illuminated clouds at high altitudes.

Liapounov speculates that the vessel might have been constructed from a non-magnetic alloy like aluminum or magnesium, explaining why electromagnetic detectors failed to find debris.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to be interested in fringe science, alternative medicine, and unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance seems to be one of questioning established scientific and medical authorities, particularly when they appear to dismiss potentially groundbreaking discoveries due to commercial interests or adherence to conventional explanations. The coverage of Roger des Allées' controversial cancer treatment and Liapounov's speculative theory on the Tunguska event suggests an openness to unconventional ideas and a critical view of institutional resistance to new concepts.