105
the reproduction of Anthrax and other spores; while, 1: 7168 prevented the
development of spores in unboiled meat infusion. As the ' materies morbi' of
Surra is an infusorian, consisting of differentiated protoplasm, it was hoped that
the action of this chemical substance on subcutaneous injection, would at first
act upon the hæmatozoa, and that by a more prolonged exhibition of the drug,
the resting form might be attacked, and eventually overcome.
Case No. VI was the first in which Mercuric Perchloride was tried. The
disease was produced artificially by the subcutaneous inoculation of a small
quantity of soiled blood. During a period of six days the animal received 2.6
grammes (39 grains) of Mercuric Perchloride, (one cubic centimetre of the inject-
ed fluid containing one decigramme of the chemical), without its having produced
any apparent effect upon the hæmatozoon. In the course of a few hours after
its administration, a raised swelling appeared at the seat of each injection,
formed by the exudation into the subcutaneous tissues of a jelly-like material.
In the further treatment of this case, Iodine and Iodide of Potassium were
substituted for the foregoing drug.
In a second case, No. VIII, after the previous experience of the subcuta-
neous action of Mercuric Perchloride, it was decided to directly inject the solution
containing a large dose of the chemical, into the general circulation, in order if
possible to overcome the hæmatozoon at once, and thus to allow the effect of
the mercury lasting for a considerable period. For this purpose, 0.6 gramme was
mixed with Glycerine and water, and injected into the Jugular Vein. Although
very serious symptoms of poisoning were produced by pushing the administra-
tion, of the drug thus far, hourly microscopical examination of the blood for the
next seven hours failed to detect any diminution in the number or activity of
the Trypanosoma, and they continued to be present in the blood for the next
three days.
Iodine and Iodide of Potassium.
Iodine is known to be a powerful antiseptic and oxidising agent, and in
addition Koch found that it possesses the power of correcting the movements of
protoplasm. The spores of certain organisms were destroyed, and their germi-
nation prevented after exposure for 2i hours to a solution of Iodine in water,
of the strength of 1 in 7,000. For these reasons it was determined to try its
effects upon the Surra hæmatozoon.
Hyd.Perchlor.
Case No. VI.—It was decided to subject this animal to the action of Hyd. Perchlor.
by giving daily subcutaneous injections of the drug, as being
more powerful and rapid in its action when given in this way,
than when administered ;by the mouth. The time chosen for commencing the exhibition
of the drug was during the absence of the hæmatozoon. from the blood, which as a rule, or
more correctly speaking, frequently coincides in point of time with an apyrexial period.
It will at once be recognized, that by commencing the subcutaneous injection of a drug
during such, a period, if it extends over two or three days, the experimenter is able to place
the animal experimented upon partially under the influence of the drug, before the re-
appearance of the organism in th,e blood. Consequently on the morning of the 3rd Decem-
ber, on the second day on which the hæmatozoon had been absent from the general circular
tion, 1.5 c.c. of the following solution was injected subcutaneously : —
R, Hydrargyri Perchloridi, x grammes..
Ammonii Chloridi, x grammes..
Glycerini, xxx c. c.
Aquæ distill., lxx c. c.
One decigramme of Hyd. Perchlor. in 1.0 c. c.. of the solution.
The temperature at the time of the injection registered 37.7°C. and the same evening
was 0.4° C. lower. On the following day the temperature was 37.2°C, and the hæmatozoon
still absent from the blood. No symptom having been produced as a consequence of the
injection, a larger dose was given, namely 3.0 c..c. of the solution; the same evening the
thermometer registered 38.5°C, but by the morning of the 5th had again fallen to 38°C.
&n examination of the blood a few organisms were found, but they did not exhibit very
active movements. The dose was not increased, but the same quantity was again subcu-
taneously injected. This was followed by a rise in the temperature to 38.8°C. at 5 P.M., and
by a slight fall on the morning of the 6th to 38.3°C, but the organism was found to
have become numerous on microscopical examination of the blood. Consequently the dose
was increased to 4.5 c.c. administered in the sara.3 way as previously. The temperature
B 1086—27