46 Proceedings of Indiana Academy of Science 



organisms at once, some forms, especially trypanosomes, can tolerate 

 the chemical used (chemofast) until finally the drug' has no effect 

 whatsoever on the parasite. In such cases, however, the rotation of 

 chemicals of a widely different chemical nature have proven beneficial. 



Arsenic was first used quite empirically. Livingston, a missionai-y 

 in South Africa in the early fifties, administered arsenic in the form 

 of Fowler's solution (potassium arsenite) to his animals sick of tick 

 fever. A temporary improvement was noted but this was soon followed 

 by a decline and they finally died. Lingard used arsenic, again quite 

 empirically in India, to combat surra, a trypanosomal disease {Trypano- 

 soma equium) which attacks horses, elephants, etc., but with no marked 

 results. There was usually death after temporary improvement. 



In 1905 Thomas tried other arsenic compounds. He used atoxyl 

 (sodium p-arsanilate) , a proprietary arsenic compound, with fair re- 

 sults. Koch used atoxyl on humans and animals in Afi'ica and again 

 it was the same old story — a temporary improvement but eventually 

 death. 



Arsenic in the organic combinations of arsphcnamine, commonly 

 known as salversan or 606, and neo-arsphenamine are intensely de- 

 structive to spirochaetes in general and are universally used in com- 

 bating the spirochaetes causing syphilis and yaws. They ai'e specific 

 for the spirochaetes, responsible for the relapsing fevers; are used in 

 the treatment for trypanosomiasis and are beneficial in certain cases 

 of malaria where quinine seems to make no headway. 



Antimony compounds were also tried out and tartar emetic (potas- 

 sium antimonyl tartrate) was especially successful when used with 

 animals. But a suspension of fine electrolytic antimony injected intra- 

 venously is the best of all. Antimony seems good in cases of Leishmania 

 of the skin and with Granuloma (venereal) it is marvelously effective, 

 While in Framboesia (yaws), a disease resembling syphilis and also 

 due to a spirochaete, very successful results are noted with the cutaneous 

 type of the disease. It is a specific for filaria. 



The active agents used in chemo-therapy are now nan-owed down 

 to arsenic and antimony and their compounds in treating blood parasites. 



These are some of the many practical applications accomplished in 

 bacteriology which, remindful of the fact that the subject as an exact 

 science has been established less than one-half century, are indeed quite 

 marvelous. 



Incalcuable benefits ensue to mankind and his onward movement are 

 made possible by the utilization of those micro-organisms which are 

 useful and the destruction of those which are harmful either before 

 or after they enter the body of man, lower animals and plants. 



