Side-effects of Chloramphenicol and Aureomycin

Bin one on the first day and in two after the dose had been greatly increased.Slight looseness of the bowels, not severe enough to call for cessation of treatment, was noted in four patients.In febrile patients with concentrated urine, an appearance highly suggestive of bilirubinuria was encountered and a positive reaction was obtained with the methylene-blue and nitric-acid tests.This result was found to be a fallacy, however, as similar reactions were given with a suspension of H.P.C. in water. SummaryA cinchoninic acid derivative, 3 -hydroxy -2 -phenyl - cinchoninic acid (H.P.C.), has been used in a small series of patients.Fever and acute arthritis were speedily relieved in rheu- matic fever.Results in polyarteritis nodosa were equivocal.The most striking effects in our series were obtained in three patients with scleroderma, a disease hitherto not respon- sive to any known treatment.Improvement occurred in all cases, as shown by the histological examination of biopsy specimens obtained before and after treatment.The results were striking and have so far been maintained in one case, but were only temporary in two.Very slight and inconstant improvement followed the administration of H.P.C. in chronic lupus erythematosus.but was not confirmed by histological examination.Toxic effects were infrequent and less severe than those which may follow the use of sodium salicylate, and con- sisted in slight nauisea, diarrhoea, and, more rarely, vomiting.We are grateful to Professor J. W. McNee, whose personal association with the original group of workers in Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, made this-investigation possible, for his kind offices in arranging the necessary supplies through Dr.