14 The Philippine Journal of Science 1923 



Papaverine. — The use of papaverine in protozoan infections 

 has been suggested from time to time, on account of the occur- 

 rence of chemical groupings in this alkaloid similar to those 

 in emetine. Pick and Wasicky(iO) noted that quinine, emetine, 

 and papaverine were decidedly toxic for cultural amoebae; 

 emetine, however, was slightly weaker than the other two. 

 Macht and Fisher (8) ascribe the toxic action of papaverine on 

 paramcecia to the benzyl grouping. 



Two animals were treated with papaverine by rectal injection 

 in relatively large dosage. Nothing more than a very transient 

 restraining effect on the amoebae was observed. The first cat 

 received 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight; on the 

 next day a saline enema was returned which showed one blood 

 clot and many degenerating cells resembling amoebae; one non- 

 motile amoeba was found. The same dosage of papaverine was 

 repeated. On the following day this cat was passing blood 

 frequently. Numerous active amoebae were present and treat- 

 ment with quinine was started. The second cat treated with 

 papaverine received 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. 

 On the following day no amoebae were seen; 75 milligrams of 

 papaverine per kilogram were given. On the next day a few 

 amoebae were present, and death occurred during the night. At 

 autopsy, typical lesions were found, and sections of the bowel 

 showed definite amoebae. 



Benzyl benzoate.— MachW) reported favorable specific action 

 of this drug in several cases of amoebic dysentery. The details 

 of one case were given, but the record is without value. No 

 microscopic examination of the stools was noted either before 

 or after treatment, the opinion being based upon the patient's 

 statement concerning the number of stools. We have had an 

 opportunity to test the action of benzyl benzoate in only one 

 animal. Two days after injection with amoebae, a saline enema 

 was returned with copious amounts of blood and numerous 

 amoebae. A suspension of benzyl benzoate (0.5 cubic centimeter 

 per kilogram) in normal saline was injected per rectum. A 

 little was expelled a half hour later and no living amoebae were 

 found. The next day the cat was passing blood freely, and the 

 amoebae were very numerous and active. The same dosage was 

 repeated. Death occurred during the night. Although this 

 infection was evidently a rather severe one for treatment, it is 

 significant that benzyl benzoate failed to show any restraining 



