312 
Phylacogens. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
July,  1913. 
time,  and  this  dose  repeated  for  several  days,  without  any  other 
result  than  to  cure  the  patient  of  his  disability.  The  largest  dose 
suggested  in  the  literature,  for  intravenous  injection,  is  5  c.c,  or 
1/160  of  the  average  lethal  dose  for  a  150  lb.  human.  A  number 
of  patients  have  received  as  high  as  15  c.c,  administered  daily  in 
the  vein,  with  the  result  of  curing  the  patient,  but  we  do  not  recom- 
mend such  doses.  The  highest  dose  suggested  in  the  literature  is 
Yz  of  this  dose  (5  c.c.  as  compared  with  15  c.c).  "The  relatively 
non-toxic  action  of  these  Phylacogens  therefore  seems  assured." 
Hematological  Studies. 
The  results  of  elaborate  studies  in  the  research  laboratories 
indicate  that  in  most  instances  the  blood  of  animals  injected  with 
the  Phylacogens  undergoes  but  slight  change,  the  most  notable  being 
in  the  number  of  cellular  elements.  Practically  all  tests  show, 
following  the  injection,  a  slight  diminution  in  the  number  of  red 
cells ;  and  a  fairly  constant  leukocytosis,  but.  usually  without  alter- 
ation in  the  size  or  condition  of  the  corpuscles.  The  hemoglobin 
content  and  the  specific  gravity  are  affected  very  little.  A  large 
number  of  blood-pressue  tracings  have  been  made,  indicating  that 
a  depressor  (blood-pressure-lowering)  principle  is  present  in  the 
Phylacogen.    The  clotting  time  of  the  blood  is  slightly  decreased. 
Effects  Upon  the  Heart. 
The  Phylacogen  causes  a  distinct  effect  upon  the  heart  and  cen- 
tral nervous  system,  as  evidenced  by  a  rapid  pulse,  which  may 
increase  to  fifty  beats  above  the  rate  before  injection,  and  an 
increase  in  temperature  of  one  to  five  degrees. 
Physiological  Action. 
The  present  use  of  the  Phylacogen,  prepared  according  to  the 
method  originated  by  Dr.  A.  F.  Schafer,  may  be  objected  to  by 
some  practitioners  on  the  ground  of  empiricism,  and  criticised  be- 
cause there  is  just  now  no  proved  scientific  explanation  of  the  exact 
mode  of  action  of  these  Phylacogens. 
The  clinical  results  obtained  thus  far  with  these  Phylacogens 
fully  warrant  their  use  even  in  the  absence  of  a  plausible  theory 
explaining  the  method  by  which  the  curative  action  of  Phylacogen 
is  produced. 
