NEW USES FOR "606."

Bruce Herald, Volume L, Issue 32, 30 April 1914, Page 4

NEW USES FOR "606."

IN PARALYSIS OF THE INSANE. A remarkable new treatment which so far has given most promising results is now being carried out at the "West End Hospital for Nervous Diseases, "Welbeck Street, W., on a number of sufferer,-) from two hitherto moat intractable diseases, locomotor ataxy and general paralysis of the insane, known among dectors as "C.P.1." Salvarsan, or "606," the famous specific discovered by Professor Ehrlich, is used in the treatment (states the medical correspondent of 'The Daily Mail'). "The treatment in locomotor ataxy." one of the hospital staff explained, "was first tried in America. .Heve we have treated some dozens of cases, practically alvtys with benefit to the patient and in many cases with strikingly good effects. "The ordinary dose of salvarsan is first injected into a vein in the arm and then about an hour afterwards about six ounces of tho patient's blood are collected from a vein. About, an ounce of the clear blood serum which separates out is injected into the patient's spinal canal through a hollow i needle. .''Generally speaking, the .immediate benefits resulting have been greater when the treatment was undertaken early. In advanced cases, however, marked improvement has usually been noted. In some cases control of the muscles has been regained almost.entirely. The severe, darting, "lightning pains" so constant a symptom in the locomotor ataxy have either been greatly lessened or entirely abolished. "A certain number of cases have been discharged surprisingly benefited both in the way of improved general health and in a marked lessening of the severity of the symptoms of'the disease.

IMPROVED MEMORIES. "Two cases of general paralysis of the insane have been treated along similar lines. Here the patient's blood serum, instead of being injected into the spinal canal, }»_ injected into one of the natural cavities or chambers within the brain. A circular plate of the skull as large as a shilling is removed by the surgeon, and through this opening a hollow needle is inserted into the brain cavity (lateral ventricle) and the blood serum is injected. "These two cases, which we believe are the first in which this treatment has been tried, both show marked improvement, though: it is top early vet even at a cure. Their memories are better, their reasoning powers are most evidently improved, and their general condition also is distinctly better."