154 PROTOZOAN PARASITISM 



to destroy it. Critical examination disproves these 

 claims, largely or wholly. 



Emetine, mercury, salvarsan and various arseni- 

 cals, methylene blue, and others have been recom- 

 mended. 



The claims of those who recommend the various 

 intravenous arsenicals seem to need substantiation, 

 since a number of people who have had extensive 

 courses of antisyphilitic treatment by these drugs 

 harbor the organisms. Neoarsphenamine in dilution 

 of 0.45 gms. in 100,000 up to 0.45 gms. in 1000 in 0.9% 

 sodium chloride solution has no effect on the motility 

 of Trichomonas hominis in one hour and in the higher 

 dilution it survives and is active at twenty-four hours. 

 Neosalvarsan, as strong as 0.45 gms. in 1000 cc. of 

 0.9% sodium chloride solution, has no appreciable 

 effect at one and one-half hours. Sulpharsphena- 

 mine in similar mixture has no effect at one hour. 

 The latter apparently effects the organism by direct 

 application before the former does. 



It must be recalled that the number of trichom- 

 onads in the intestine and in the stool varies widely 

 without therapeutic influence and that the finding 

 of a few organisms or none at an examination or on 

 repeated examination does not necessarily indicate 

 that any therapeutic agent was responsible. 



While Trichomonas hominis is at times a per- 

 sistent parasite and may remain for long periods, it 

 undoubtedly spontaneously dies out. Otherwise the 

 increasing years would show higher incidence, and 



