A eletropirexia no tratamento da neurossífilis

[摘要] In the experiments described in this paper, neurosyphilis was treated by artificial fever, the body temperature having been raised my means of short-wave diathermy, and body-heat irradiation prevented by use of an air-conditioned cabinet. The A. considers the optimum rectal temperature to that between 39,5°C (103°F) and a little above 41.C (105,8°F); however, temperatures above 38°C (100.5°F) were accepted as beneficial. The treatments lasted an average of 8 hours, in a total average number of 10. The process was aplied to 15 patients, 11 suffering from general paresis, 3 from cerebral syphilis and 1 case of tabes. Among the cases ofe general paresis there were 5 of the expansive and 4 of the demented type, one of which in the terminal period; 1 patient had a striatal syndrome of syphilitic origin and the vascular inflammation due to syphilis. The results were as follows: 7 complete clinical cures, 3 partial improvements, one case not influenced by treatment. In percentages this would mean 63.64% clinical-cures, 27.27% partial cures, 9.% unchanged by treatment; no deaths. Of the 3 patients with brain syphilis, 2 were considered clinical cures and 1 was improved. The patient with tabes obtained notable relief from pain. The A. compares these results with those obtained by means of malaria-induced fever in 26 cases of general paresis and 3 cases of brain syphilis.