JOHN A. KOLMER 1131 



We have had no evidence so far of mercurochrome given by intravenous injection 

 sterilizing staphylococcus abscesses of the internal organs or of the skin following sub- 

 cutaneous inoculation, but the drug has unmistakably sterilized the blood of experi- 

 mental animals at least for brief periods of time and thereby prolonged the lives of 

 some animals with less rapid loss of weight and other toxic effects. In our experiments 

 mercurochrome was also found to influence favorably some rather severe experimental 

 B. coli infections. 



One of the unsolved mysteries of therapeutics is the mechanism of the beneficial 

 and even curative effects of the salicylates and related substances in acute rheumatic 

 fever. Indeed, these effects are frequently so striking that many physicians have in- 

 cluded the salicylates in this disease in the category of the specific chemotherapeutic 

 remedies, but Swift and Boots in an extensive series of experiments with rabbits 

 inoculated intravenously with non-hemolytic streptococci while under the influence 

 of full therapeutic doses of sodium salicylate found that they developed almost as 

 many inflamed joints as the untreated controls similarly inoculated. 



THE TOXICITY OF MERCURIAL COMPOUNDS IN RELATION TO THE 

 CHEMOTHERAPY OF BACTERIAL DISEASES 



As a general rule, the maximum tolerated dose of mercurophen and metaphen for 

 white rats by intravenous injection is about 0.008 gm. per kilo of weight. These com- 

 pounds are therefore slightly less toxic than mercuric chlorid which has a maximum 

 tolerated dose of about 0.004-0.006 gm. per kilo. I have administered both of them to 

 adults by intravenous injection (doses 0.01-0.02 gm. or 10-20 cc. of i : 1,000 dilution) 

 without any reactions. Solutions of these compounds are likewise well borne by the 

 skin, and individuals possessing a hypersensitiveness to bichlorid of mercury with the 

 production of dermatitis have used them without reactions. I have also observed 

 that they are well borne by mucous membranes, and may be employed in dilutions of 

 1:1,000 to 1:4,000 for the treatment of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, vaginitis, etc., al- 

 though somewhat higher dilutions like i : 5,000-1 : 8,000 should be used for irrigation 

 of the male urethra to avoid burning and other symptoms of irritation. 



Mercurochrome is less toxic, owing to its lower content of mercury and slower 

 dissociation. White rats ordinarily stand doses as high as 0.030-0.040 gm. per kilo 

 without apparent harm although rabbits and dogs are more susceptible. One per cent 

 solutions give no evidence of irritating qualities when used in the conjunctival sac of 

 rabbits. Solutions of this drug in strength from o.i to 5 per cent have been used in 

 the human genito-urinary tract as a local antiseptic. In the kidney pelvis a i per cent 

 solution has been used. 



Mercurochrome has been prepared for intravenous administration and is gen- 

 erally injected in doses of 0.005 g^- per kilogram of weight dissolved in hot distilled 

 water. The solution does not require heating since it is rapidly self-steriHzing. This 

 dose corresponds to about 0.3 gm. or 5 gr. for an adult weighing 130-40 lb., and is 

 generally administered in a i per cent solution (25-30 cc), injected slowly. Smaller 

 doses, like 10-15 cc of a i per cent solution, may produce practically no reaction at 

 all beyond increased pulse rate and flushing, but the larger dose frequently produces a 

 severe diarrhea in one-half to six hours and the stools are likely to be red in color, due 



