23,5 Leach et al.: Hookworm Infestation 509 



findings have been conclusively checked and confirmed, so far 

 as concerns the dosage, by the treatment of more than 25,000 

 Filipinos of all ages and both sexes as well as in varying con- 

 ditions of disease and health, by the heaviest dosages we have 

 employed in this series. 



Not only have there been no fatalities, but in no instance has 

 a subject shown a physical reaction to the drug that has neces- 

 sitated treatment or has given the slightest cause for anxiety 

 on the part of those who administered it. 



We attribute our immunity from such mishaps to the ob- 

 servance of three fundamental principles. 



1. The administration of a drug of known purity as attested 

 by chemical examination and purification. In no instance have 

 we accepted the word of the manufacturer with respect to the 

 purity of the drug. 



2. The rejection of all persons showing obvious pathology of 

 the liver, 3 and serious lesion of the heart or urinary system. 



3. The rejection of all acute alcoholic subjects, and the with- 

 drawal of alcohol for a period of days prior to treatment from 

 all subjects who indulged in it to even a moderate degree. 



Our maximum dosages were computed on the basis of data 

 obtained by the administration of maximum doses to three 

 condemned murderers, and finally checked by the anatomical 

 and histological examinations of the organs of a man who was 

 executed three days after taking a maximum dose. We failed 

 to find any evidence of drug intoxication in this case. 



Observations made before, during, and after the treatment of 

 these one hundred men has yielded us information that we 

 summarize as follows: 



BLOOD AND VASCULAR SYSTEM 



Blood. — Few significant data were obtained by study of the 

 blood. Many cases showed a polycythemia and high haemoglo- 

 bin percentage before treatment. No changes were noted in 

 these that could be attributed to the direct action of the drug. 

 In many cases there was a tendency toward a transient eleva- 

 tion in the proportionate number of polymorphonuclear neutro- 

 philes. The behavior of the eosinophiles was erratic, and no 

 general conclusions can be drawn. 



Vascular system. — Our studies on the pulse and blood pressure 

 yielded us no information on which we care to base conclusions. 



* It will be recalled that we treated one man who was jaundiced without, 



