259 



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723. SAETHER, J. 

 Pyrogener (Pyrogens) 

 Nord. Med. 5^:501-504, 1951 



724. SCHOCH, A. G. (Editor) 



Clinical experience with PYROMEN. PYROMEN for the treatment 

 of chronic dermatoses 



Current News in Dermat. and Syphilol., November, I95I 



PYROMEN therapy was evaluated from the results obtained in a 

 group of 52 patients presenting stubborn dermatoses. The most 

 frequently given dosages were 0.5 or 1.0 gamma initially, in- 

 creased as tolerance developed. Three or four intravenous in- 

 jections were given per week. Improvement was seen in 39 

 patients. After interruption of therapy for one to two months, 

 improvement was still evident in 25 patients. Six cases of 

 psoriasis improved but exacerbations were noted. The importance 

 of the psychotherapeutic features of the treatment was stressed 

 by the reporting clinician. who found spontaneous major environ- 

 mental changes coincident with the fluctuations in about one- 

 half of the patients and "psychic catharsis" where reactions to 

 treatment occurred. Temporary favorable results from PYROMEN 

 and psychotherapy in combination are reported. Two indivi- 

 duals became conditioned to pyrogenic injections and reacted 

 similarly to injections of saline solution. Astonishing im- 

 provement was shown by certain patients. "Although the useful- 

 ness of the drug, per se., remains to be determined, it seems 

 that the results would usually not have been as good without 

 PYROMEN" . 



The Editor quotes Dr. Kierland (Mayo Clinic), "PYROMEN. . .is of 

 value but not specifically so in the treatment of many. .chronic 

 dermatoses. . .unresponsive to the usual therapeutic measures. 

 There is evidence that subfebrile doses are effective." He 

 considers the action a nonspecific one, similar to that noted 

 in foreign protein therapy, but raore controllable than that of TAB 

 vaccine or other pyrexia -producing ageate. 



