Recently I have had an opportunity of proving the efficacy of this new
solvent, and am much pleased with the result obtained.
During the months of August and September I had five children under my
care, suffering from diphtheria. As all the children belonged to one
Institution, had the same nurse, and in every way the same surroundings,
I had a good opportunity of testing the solvent powers of this drug, as
compared with others. In the first child, age 4 years, I used acetic
acid spray as a solvent, giving iron and potassium chlorate internally.
Although the membranes in fauces visibly shrank, the disease extended
downwards rapidly, almost choking the patient. Intubation was resorted
to, which for a time relieved the choking symptoms, but the child
gradually, sank.
Two more children were seized with the disease and the fauces were
painted with sulpho-calcine, a remedy I have used successfully for some
years, and corrosive sublimate was given internally. The children
improved, but the patches were a long time in shrinking. I applied an
aqueous solution of methylene blue (1:9) to the patches by means of a
camel’s-hair brush, three times a day. The effect was remarkable. Not
only did the patches, after the third application, shrink, but the
feverishness and restlessness abated. Three days after the commencement
of the treatment all the patches in both children had disappeared.
Two more children, aged 5 years and 3½ years, were attacked. As the
patches covered the uvula, tonsils and back of the pharynx, and no
further down, I thought that I would try local treatment only. After a
few days the patches disappeared, the fever left, and the children were
convalescent.