TREATMENT OF LEPROSY WITH ANTIMONY ] 



By Jose Rodriguez and Froilan Eubanas 



INTRODUCTION 



The best of the newer methods of treating leprosy fall so 

 far short of what is hoped will be ultimately attained that any 

 therapeutic measure that may be of value, whether as an auxil- 

 iary to the chaulmoogra preparations or in their stead, should 

 be tested thoroughly. It was for this reason, and without prej- 

 udice in the matter, that when encouraging reports on the use 

 of antimony preparations were brought to the attention of the 

 Culion authorities by Doctor Cawston, of Natal, we were re- 

 quested to try them out on cases under our care. 



Cawston 2 reported remarkable results obtained in Natal with 

 tartar emetic and a proprietary colloidal preparation of antimony 

 known as oscol stibium, though he stated that the tartar emetic 

 can be given with benefit by mouth in the form of vmum anti- 

 monii. He claimed that paralyses were relieved, ulcers dried 

 up, and the general condition of the patient improved withm a 

 remarkably short time. He also noted relief in the various eye 

 complications so commonly seen in this disease. Wildish ob- 

 tained similar results in the Amatikulu Leper Institution in 

 Zululand, and concluded that antimony is of very decided value 

 in the treatment of leprosy, more particularly in cases exhibit- 

 ing severe manifestations of the disease. 



TARTAR EMETIC ADMINISTERED INTRAVENOUSLY 



A simple, 1 per cent solution of tartar emetic in distilled water 

 was given intravenously to a group of inmates of the General 

 Hospital of the Culion Leper Colony for a period of six months. 

 The solution was always freshly prepared as it tends _to prec p- 

 itate after a few days. Sterilization was effected by flowing 



- Published with the approval of the Philippine Leprosy Research Board 

 and the consent of the Director of Health. 



•Cawston, F. G., Brit. Med. Journ. No. 3107 1 (1920) 16, 77, Ko. 

 3127 2 (1920) 855, 856; No. 3142 1 (1921) 419 



3 Wildish, G. H., Brit. Med. Journ. No. 3185 1 (1922) 55. 



