Autohaemagglutination and Raynaud's Phenomenon

In the present series skin rashes have occurred in six patients: in four the drug was given again without causing reappearance of the rash, and in two the rash reappeared and the thiocyanate had to be stopped. Koffler and Freireich (1944) have reported femoral thrombophlebitis -in four of a series of 40 cases treated, and observed that the lesion tended to recur if the drug was repeated. In the present series this complication has occurred twice. In a larger series of other cases under the observation of one of us it has not bccurred at all. Goitre is reported to have followed the long-continued administration of potassium thiocyanate. Wald et al. ( We have not seen this complication. Our opinion is that, apart from skin rashes which may occur at low serum thiocyanate concentrations, toxic effects are uncommon provided that the dosage of the drug is properly controlled. The necessity for close control, especially in the early stages of thiocyanate therapy during which the adequate maintenance dose is being ascertained, cannot be over-emphasized.