Oct. i, 1920 An Experimental Study of Echinacea Therapy 65 



distemper," and is recommended in the treatment of equine influenza (10). 

 Slawson (16) does not consider this preparation satisfactory in the 

 treatment of canine distemper. He finds that its action does not differ 

 from that of nuclein, leucocyte extract, or plain serum. 



PRESENT INVESTIGATION 



The investigation of which the results are here reported was under- 

 taken for the purpose of determining, so far as the limits of laboratory 

 experiment permit, the usefulness of echinacea as a remedy in several 

 pathological conditions induced by bacteria, their products, or allied 

 toxins. 



The animals used were guinea pigs bred at the Bethesda (Md.) Experi- 

 ment Station of the Bureau of Animal Industry, all in healthy condition 

 and apparently normal. The animals were kept under observation long 

 enough before experimental use to exclude any but the most remote 

 possibilities of accidental factors. 



PREPARATIONS TESTED 



The preparations of echinacea employed in the remedial work con- 

 sisted of the following: 



1. A sample of "Specific Medicine Echinacea," manufactured by and 

 obtained from Lloyd Brothers, of Cincinnati, Ohio. This is a liquid 

 preparation which is stated to contain 480 gr. of echinacea root per fluid 

 ounce, or slightly more than a modern fluid extract. It contained 69 

 per cent of alcohol and conformed to the organoleptic tests for select 

 echinacea. It was identified and preserved free from change during 

 the whole course of the investigation. This remedy was diluted with 

 distilled water for administration per os. The treatment caused the 

 mixture to become cloudy because of the suspension of the resinous and 

 oily constituents of the plant. These mixtures were never allowed to 

 stand long enough for the insoluble matters to separate but were given 

 to the animals while still in the stage of emulsion. In this way it is 

 certain that the guinea pigs received all of the constituents of echinacea 

 which are soluble in 69 per cent alcohol. 



2. A fluid extract of echinacea purchased on the open market. This 

 contained 70 per cent of alcohol and was identified, preserved, and 

 administered exactly as was the specific medicine mentioned above. 



3. "Subculoyd Inula and Echinacea," manufactured by and obtained 

 from Lloyd Brothers. This liquid was used in the greater portion of 

 the parenteral administrations. It is stated to contain, in 3 mils, 1.33 

 mils of Inula helenium and 1 mil of echinacea. It does not contain 

 alcohol. This material was scrupulously preserved from contamination 

 and change. In certain of the experiments it was administered intra 

 muscularly; in other cases it was injected subcutaneously. Upon 



