210 Captain H. S. Ranken. Treatment of Human [Dec. 23, 



cases. In this case only two injections of 1 gr. had been given. The 

 patient was a man in good health ; he showed slight depression after the 

 first dose, but had quite recovered and was ready for a second dose four 

 days later. He was sick after this and soon developed alarming symptoms, 

 and died. There were no late effects in any of the other patients. 



Symptoms Following the Intravenous Injection of Antimony. 



Antimony has a powerful depressant action and, as the preparation 

 employed is very active, it is only to be expected that a course of treat- 

 ment should cause the appearance of some symptoms. It has been found 

 that some patients have a high degree of susceptibility to antimony, and 

 they have suffered somewhat severely ; also, at the beginning of this work, 

 when attempts were being made to obtain some information as to the 

 dosage, larger doses were given and the effects were, in some cases, more 

 marked. With further experience symptoms of any degree of severity have 

 become very rare. 



The following are the symptoms which may be seen in patients who are 

 not unusually susceptible : — 



1. Fever : The " reaction thermique." 



2. Pulse: Is not much accelerated; but, so far as can be ascertained by 

 digital examination, there is a fall in blood pressure. 



3. Diuresis : There is variable diuresis. 



4. Cough : This occurs in the majority of cases. It begins a few minutes 

 after administration and lasts for 5 or 10 minutes. Very rarely it has 

 persisted for 12 or 24 hours, but only in cases which have had slight 

 bronchitis. 



5. Pain in the xiphisternal region : This is a common occurrence and is 

 most severe the day following an injection. It is probably of gastric origin. 



6. Headache is not uncommon, but is not severe. 



The following symptoms have only occurred in cases of great susceptibility 

 to the drug : — 



7. Sickness and vomiting : This has occurred six times ; once it occurred in 

 a fatal case (No. 32a). 



8. Painting : Only one case. 



9. Meteorism ; Was seen in one case (No. 2), which was fatal. Captain 

 Thompson saw a similar case 18 months ago. 



10. Herpes : There have been seven cases. In six it was seen on the face 

 and lips, and in the seventh along the ribs. This condition is probably 

 similar to the herpes that occurs in certain forms of arsenical poisoning. 



