TOXIC EFFECTS FOLLOWING USE OF THE ARSPHENAMINES

Abstract

Several very complete reports on the toxic effects of arsenical preparations used in the treatment of syphilis have been made in the past few years, notably the Medical Research Council Survey of Great Britain,¹the report by Phelps and Washburn²on cases observed in the venereal disease service of the United States navy, and Kerl's³article in the Jadassohn Handbuch. Nevertheless, if one scans the literature from day to day and from month to month, one still notes the frequent observation of further arsenical reactions supervening in the treatment of syphilis. Either past experiences have not taught us sufficiently to prevent these occurrences; or there is still something to learn along these lines, or, finally, arsenical reactions must be looked on by the medical man as phenomena bound to happen sooner or later in many cases, and this despite every precaution. This is the excuse that we