THE NONSPECIFIC AGENTS 39 



clysma of 50 c.c. of a 5% solution. K. and R. Klotz have used it in 

 the form of a clysma, giving 1 mg. daily during the course of pneu- 

 monia. 



The question arises in connection with the injection of these metallic 

 preparations how much of the reaction, and consequently of the thera- 

 peutic benefit, is due to the dispersed metal and how much to the protective 

 colloid that the manufacturer adds to his solution to make it stable. Thus 

 for the commercial iodo-collargol preparation the composition is stated 

 by the manufacturer to be 31% in silver, 37% iodin and 31% protective 

 colloid. Other preparations vary in the amount of protective colloid added 

 and the substances used for this purpose. 



Auld has published some illuminating experiences in this connection. 

 He had been working with colloidal platinum solutions for several years 

 and found one particular preparation very effective therapeutically. This 

 was an old solution that had been in his laboratory for some time. Intra- 

 venous injections of from 3 to 7 c.c. resulted invariably in a sharp reac- 

 tion on the part of the patient a chill commencing in about half an hour, 

 the temperature rising to 104 F. and 105 F. and the patient complaining 

 of nausea and headache. This reaction occurred both in normal individuals 

 and in patients suffering from a variety of ailments. His othei platinum 

 preparations did not give this sharp reaction and the therapeutic effect 

 likewise was lacking. On further investigation of the matter Auld ascer- 

 tained from the manufacturers that this particular preparation had been 

 stabilized by a solution of veal peptone (0.4%) together with 1% glucose. 

 This peptone on trial gave an identical reaction on the part of the patient 

 as the original platinum solution and could be used therapeutically with 

 equal success. 



The use of the colloidal metals has been very extensive in a 

 variety of clinical fields, both for septic conditions as well as in 

 certain special conditions such as skin diseases, venereal diseases, 

 etc. Thus Reichmann has obtained good results in sepsis, endocarditis 

 and rheumatism; Bichon in rheumatic iritis; Salomon, and Labbe 

 and Moussaud (colloidal gold) in typhoid; Richter in trench fever; 

 Klewitz in endocarditis. A number of general articles covering .the 

 subject have been published which will be found of interest: Guaita, 

 Meyer, Kausch, Bockemueller, Cowadias, Loeper and Wahram, 

 Laumonier, etc. 



It has been found that after the injection the colloidal metal is 

 deposited chiefly in the liver, the spleen and the bone marrow (Voight) . 

 A separate field for therapeutic application of the colloidal metals 

 lies in their use as adjuvant agents in radiotherapy. In this connec- 

 tion considerable progress has been made in recent years. 



The colloidal metals, like many of the other nonspecific agents, 

 are as a rule less active on reinjection. Bottner, however, believes 

 that he has been able to demonstrate that the organism may be sen- 

 sitized to collargol and that on reinjection in proper time intervals, 

 the patient will react more strongly than with the first injection. 



