BACTERIOLOGY IN A NUTSHELL. 



Schaudinn, of Germany, in 1905, is the gertli' 

 of syphilis. New methods of staining cultures 



which ithey tranisinit !»■ their offspring. He therefore 

 sought to discover and perfect a drug, the action of 

 which should destroy the parasites by the administration 

 of a single large dose, at the same time Leaving the subject 

 uninjured. This result he has achieved in hns wonderful 

 "606," which is being used with marvelous results in 

 both Europe and America. The active principle of the 

 drug "'006" is arsenic. Other parts of the drug are 

 chcmicajl groups used for the purpose of fixing the 

 arsenic to the parasites. The chemical name of "606" 

 is paradiamidodioxy-arsenO'benzole diiiydroChlOrid. In 

 appearance it is a yellowish powder. It rapidly oxydizes 

 on exposure to air and' is for this reason preserved in 

 vacuum' tubes. It dioes not dissolve very readily in 

 water, and when thus dissolved is strongly acid. As this 

 acid solution causes great pain, it is admimstered either 

 as a neutral base or as an alfciiine salt. It is given by 

 hypodermlic injection either deep into the muscles or 

 into the veins, or subcutaneously. The concens^us. of 

 opinion seems to favor the subcutaneous method. "606" 

 is dissolved in a mortar in one (1) to two (2) c.c. of 

 ordinary solution of sodiumi hydrate. To this is added 

 acetic acid by the drop method tmtii a fine yellowish 

 suspension is percipitated. This percipitale is then col- 

 lected in from one (1) to two (2) c.c. of sterile dis- 

 tilled water. To this is added 1-10 normal sodium 

 hydrate, or one per cent acetic acid. The suspension is 

 drawn into a suitable syringe and injected below the 

 shoulder blade underneath the skin. The area used 

 must be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected in the usual 

 way. Slight pain sometimes follows the subcutaneous 

 injections. Also there may be some elevation of tem- 

 perature, a rash resembling urticaria, and sometimes a 

 slight swelling about the site of operation is observed 

 on the second or third day, but no untoward results occur. 



