251 



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 doses to depressed patients. A preliminary study- 

 New England J. Med. 245:961-968, 1951 



Among the favorable results reported after PYROMEN therapy has 

 been the appearance of increased euphoria. To determine whether 

 or not this response might be therapeutically useful in the treat- 

 ment of the mentally depressed patient, and whether or not it was 

 independent of fever, subpyrexial doses of PYROMEN were adminis- 

 tered to 62 individuals, 31 of whom reported extreme depression. 

 Of these, four were termed schizoid personalities and four manic 

 depressive. Fifteen patients presented some symptoms of aller- 

 gic disease. The average dose of PYROMEN ranged from initial 

 injections of 0.5 to 1.0 gamraa^ to 2.0 gammas two or three times 

 weekly for an average period of 79 days. Overdosage appeared to 

 bring an exacerbation of symptoms but it was rarely necessary to 

 reduce the amount given. Among the symptoms observed were head- 

 ache, dizziness, nausea and aching. A tendency toward increased 

 bleeding was noted; menstruation was induced in 1 patient, intra- 

 menstrual bleeding in two. Dysmenorrhea was relieved. Caution is 

 Indicated in the use of PYROMEN where a hemorrhagic lesion may 

 exist. Nocturia and frequency of urination were present in the 

 early stage of treatment; a loss of weight may have been related 

 to loss of edema fluid. Symptoms indicative of vitamin balance 

 disturbance, le, metallic taste, cheilosis, glossitis, and 

 bleeding guras_, appeared in a few patients and were relieved by 

 administration of vitamins B and C in high dosages. 



On the basis of 537 pairs of differential counts it was con- 

 cluded that hematologic response could not be used for evaluation. 

 The eosinophil count was not valid enough to be used as a gauge 

 of response. There were no significant changes in hemoglobin, 

 erythrocyte levels, platelets, reticulocytes, total serum protein, 

 prothrombin time, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus or bilirubin, 

 A placebo (saline solution) occasionally brought a drop in eosin- 

 ophils. 



Allergic states yielded to PYROMEN therapy (asthma, severe acne 

 and chronic eczematoid dermatitis), but seborrheic dermatitis was 

 not improved. Depression, fatigue, anxiety and insomnia disap- 

 peared. One of the schizophrenic subjects improved but symp- 

 toms were exaggerated in the passive variety of schizoid involve- 

 ment. The drug appears to bring the psychiatric patient toward 

 an acceptance of psychotherapeutic techniques. The theory is 

 advanced that central nervous symptoms of a functional- nature may 

 be the results of allergic states with cerebral edema, or that a 

 shift from the parasympathetic to the sympathetic system has 

 changed both psychic and somatic behavior. A common agent, op- 

 posed by PYROMEN, may be Involved in these syndromes. 



