191 1] Ediforials 365 



Biological Chemists, 1907, i, p. 2; Science, 1907, xxv, p. 140.) 

 Dr. Aisberg lately called attention to some shortcomings of the 

 American Society of Biological Chemists. We suggest that mem- 

 bers of the Biochemical Society seriously consider what Dr. Aisberg 

 has said. (See Biochemical Bulletin, 191 i, i, p. 94.) 



The medicinal value of arsenic in the inorganic form has long 

 been established and its disadvantages and dangers are correspond- 

 ingly well known. Within recent years various organic prepara- 

 Medicinal value of tions of arsenic have been introduced with the 

 arsenic Compounds double purpose of extending the usefulness and 

 restricting the dangers of arsenic. Ehrlich's theory of selective 

 affinity has taken a prominent share in this development, resulting 

 in the introduction of sodium arsanilate or "atoxyl," sodium acetyl- 

 arsanilate or arsacetm, and lately of dioxydiaminoarsenobenzene, 

 or "606," which has received the proprietary name "salvarsan." 

 Still more recently the physicians' interest has gone back to a rela- 

 tively well known organic arsenic Compound, sodium cacodylate. 



The history of atoxyl and arsacetin contains some very useful 

 lessons. Their association with the names of Paul Ehrlich and 

 Robert Koch caused them to be accepted as among the greatest dis- 

 coveries of medicine, but in a relatively brief time it was found that 

 their therapeutic value was restricted, and that they caused much 

 more serious damage than ordinary arsenic. It is startling to re- 

 flect how many cases of total physical blindness, not to mention 

 lesser consequences, have followed the moral blindness of those who 

 applied the misleading name atoxyl — not toxic — to this prepara- 

 tion. As to salvarsan ("606"), it is too early to decide. Adverse 

 reports continually appear. Further experience may bring to light 

 many disadvantages which have been overlooked in the excitement 

 and enthusiasm attending the introduction of a preparation which 

 promises to be a great addition to materia medica. 



We giveon pages 270-324 abstractsof the Symposium on Edema 

 at the June meeting of the Biochemical Association and on pages 



