ON SPECIFIC THERAPEUTICS. 95 



substances. I would like here to call your 

 attention to the fact that two decades ago I 

 discovered a considerable efficacy of methylene 

 blue against certain forms of malaria. This 

 dye has not, however, obtained any extensive 

 employment, since its effect is inferior to that of 

 quinine. On the ground of our recent experi- 

 ence one would, I think, be perfectly justified 

 in attempting to re-inforce the attack on the 

 malaria parasites by employing combined doses 

 of quinine and methylene blue. 



Having now reached the end of my lecture, 

 will you allow me once more to call your 

 attention to the fact that the importance of 

 these trypanosome studies is a twofold one ; 

 first, for theoretical reasons, because they afford 

 us a deep insight into the finest mechanism of 

 the action of the drugs ; and second, for prac- 

 tical reasons, since by the methods of research 

 employed and especially by the development of 

 the combined treatment, the way has been 

 prepared for a successful fight against trypano- 

 some diseases. At the same time we are also 

 justified in hoping that even beyond these 

 narrow limits the studies may prove generally 

 fruitful in the great campaign against infectious 

 diseases. 



