SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—B. 363 
Two remarkable synthetic anti-malarials, namely plasmochin and atebrin, 
have been discovered and prepared on a large scale in Germany and their 
merits and defects for the particular purposes mentioned are now being 
assessed in the laboratory and in the field. A statement illustrated by 
lantern slides and microscopic preparations is given of the results obtained. 
Their discovery has given a great stimulus to chemotherapeutic work. 
An outline is given of methods and plans which are being tried or have 
been suggested for extending anti-malarial chemotherapy researchin England, 
where as yet it has been entirely neglected by the chemical industry and has 
received almost no financial assistance from Government or other sources. 
Prof. Dr. W. ScHULEMANN.—Methods of chemotherapeutic research 
as exemplified by anti-malarial drugs (10.30). 
For centuries the physician has had only natural products, e.g. quinine, 
to support him in his struggle against malarial infection. Concurrent with 
the increasing elucidation of the chemical constitution of quinine, a very 
large group of compounds was prepared and tested for effects on malaria, 
but with practically no results. The first success was at last attained with 
plasmoquine (prepared in 1924), followed by atebrin (in 1930). 
Repeated discussions have taken place on where the secret of success in 
experimental therapeutic work is to be found. There is the view that 
success is to be reached only by intuitive work, and the other that only 
systematic work can attain its object. A combination of both holds out 
the greatest prospect of success. The discovery of atebrin was due solely 
to co-operation between chemists and biologists. 
Difficulties presenting themselves are: (1) compounds acting on malarial 
parasites attack different points in the development cycle of the parasites ; 
(2) the action of compounds depends on the type of parasite and of the host. 
If the biologist limits himself to a single test object the meshes of the sieve 
through which he must pass the substance to be tested soon become too 
fine. 
Experiments are divided into ‘ controlled ’ and ‘ uncontrolled,’ and the 
relative merits of these are discussed with reference to the workers in each 
field. . The argument that, while quinine favours development of immunity, 
synthetic compounds prevent the development of or inhibit this immunity, 
is refuted. 
Among important problems remaining to be solved are true causal pro- 
phylaxis and the prolongation of the incubation period in benign tertian 
malaria. ‘These and other problems can be solved only by further 
pharmacological investigations. 
Prof. R. Ropinson, F.R.S.—Synthesis of potential anti-malarials and 
the relation between constitution and anti-malarial action (10.55). 
The methods employed for the synthesis of potential anti-malarials by 
the author and his colleagues are described, and some of the results discussed 
from the point of view of the relation between constitution and anti-malarial 
action. 
Attention is directed to the pressing need for further investigations and 
some suggestions are advanced as to the organisation of the research on the 
chemical side. 
