90 The Philippine Journal of Science 1918 



acute entamoebic type, two were bacillary, and one was suffering 

 from a chronic entamoebic infection. 



Treatment with emetine compounds had no effect whatever 

 on the sporozoan infection. One case was treated especially for 

 the elimination of the Isospora, by the hypodermic administra- 

 tion of emetine hydrochloride over a period of nine days, 

 thirteen grains in all being given. The infection was "practi- 

 cally unaffected." Then silver nitrate injections were tried. 

 A solution of 1 in 2,000, one pint, was given for eight days. 

 The writers report the disappearance of the "coccidia" after 

 three days of treatment ; they were found on one occasion only, 

 four days after the last silver nitrate injection. Daily examina- 

 tions were then made for sixteen days, during which the stools 

 were free from the infection. 



However, the authors go on to say that in all the other cases 

 except one the parasites disappeared from the stools without 

 special treatment. This, to say the least, is suggestive of con- 

 firmation of the view that the development of sporogony 

 automatically purges the host of its infection in a large propor- 

 tion of cases. It should not however, give us a false sense 

 of security, for the possibility of liver complications should not 

 be overlooked. 



Experience with ipecac and the emetine compounds in pro- 

 tozoan infections other than those with Entamoeba histolytica 

 should lead us to expect negative results in the treatment of 

 coccidial infections. There is very little evidence to show that 

 either ipecac or emetine has any but the slightest effect on 

 Entamoeba coli or any of the flagellated protozoa. At the same 

 time it is not certain from the report of Savage and Young 

 that the silver nitrate injections worked a cure in the case in 

 which they were tried. Nevertheless it seems reasonable to 

 assume that in view of the fact that coccidial infections are, 

 for the most part, limited to the epithelial layer of the intestine, 

 local treatment would tend to be more effective than in the 

 case of Entamoeba histolytica, which works its way deep into 

 the submucosa, where it is safe from the action of drugs 

 similarly applied. 



In still another recent article, Castellani 3 states that coccidio- 

 sis is comparatively common in the Balkans. He cites fourteen 

 cases reported by Richards from the 43d General Hospital, 

 Salonika, and six cases seen by himself in Macedonia. Of the 

 latter group two, he says, exhibited diarrhoea, but the others 



"Journ. Trop. Med. & Hyg. (1917), 20, 202. 



