THE TREATMENT OF HUMAN BERIBERI WITH 
AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT 
By N. M. Saleeby 
(Manila) 
The extract of rice polishings has become recognized as one 
of the most efficient remedies for the treatment of infantile beri- 
beri.^ However, it does not markedly improve cases of long 
standing. 
Williams and Saleeby ^ have shown that the hydrolyzed ex- 
tract does have a prompt and decisive action on these more 
chronic cases, but that it must be administered only under the 
direct supervision of the physician on account of its poisonous 
qualities when given in excessive doses. These investigators 
believe that the poisonous nature of the hydrolyzed extract is 
due to the choline present. 
That polyneuritis in fowls is improved by treatment with 
yeast has been known for some time.® Cooper found that no 
poisonous effects followed the daily dose of 30 cubic centimeters 
of autolyzed yeast extract to chickens and that the administra- 
tion of 100 cubic centimeters did no harm. 
In order that this extract might be tried on human beriberi, 
in 1917 and 1918 the Bureau of Science prepared and delivered 
to me in 50 cubic centimeter bottles an autolyzed yeast extract 
and requested me to try its efficacy when given to human pa- 
tients. Brewers’ yeast was obtained from the San Miguel and 
the Oriental breweries, of Manila, separated from the adhering 
beer and placed in an incubator at a temperature of 35° C. until 
it had assumed a mushlike consistency (about forty-eight hours) 
due to autolysis. The mass was then filtered through paper, 
washed on the filter, and the filtrate concentrated under a partial 
vacuum at a temperature below 60° C. to a volume of about 
one-third of the original. 
^Albert, J., Philip. Journ. Sci., Sec. B (1915), 10, 81. The Bureau of 
Science, Manila, manufactures about 400 liters of this extract annually for 
use in the Philippines. 
^Williams, R. R., and Saleeby, N. M., Philip. Joum. Sci., Sec. B. (1915), 
10 , 99 . 
® Cooper, E. A., Bio-chem. Journ. (1914), 8, 250. 
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