Though effective, methylene-blue is very inferior to quinine or arsenic. In fact, Pilliet questions whether the good effects obtained from the use of the drug in malaria are not due to the arsenic con lained in the arsenous methylene-blue, the most common form used; also whether the unpleasant effects sometimes observed may not have the same origin.
Methylene-blue used in thirty cases of intermittent fever uncontrolled by qui nine, powdered nutmeg being employed to prevent unpleasant secondary effects. Attacks were not only arrested, but even prevented. Kasem-Beck (Wratsch, Nos. 23, 27, '93).
Methylene-blue is of use in quotidian intermittent fever. The dose used is 8 grains daily, in four portions. Its favor able action is due not to the fact that it exercises any direct influence upon the plasmodim. but that it modifies the con stitution of the blood, thus making it un favorable for the growth of micro-organ isms. Dabrowski (Wratsch, .No. 11, '93).
Methylene-blue tried in four cases of intermittent fever in children. The pa tients soon showed a dislike for the remedy, which was vomited. It can in no way replace quinine in malaria, though it may be tried where children absolutely refuse to take quinine. Ba ginsky (Archiv f. Kinderh.. 13. 17, H. 3, '94).
Methylene-blue used in malaria, 10 or 12 grains being given to adults about ten hours before the rise of temperature is expected. A combination of it with qui nine was often found to act especially well, and it is useful in cases where qui nine alone has proved of no avail. It is apt to cause cystitis. Immunity to the malarial poison seems to follow on its continued use. Cardamates (Ther. Gaz., July, '9S).
GONORMICEA.--In this disease it seems to have proved of value when used in ternally and locally.
Methylene-blue used in the treatment of blennorrhagia apparently with good results. The drug acts on the micro organisms, diminishing their vitality and virulence. A similar action may be said to occur in the ease of gonococci. E. Boinet and P. Trintignan (Marseille med., Sept. 1, '92).
Gonorrhoeal vaginitis may be treated with the following II, Methylene-blue, 21/,. drachms. Alcohol, 3 '/, drachms.
Potassium, 3 grains.
Water, 6 1/, ounces.
Two or three tampons of cotton wet with this solution are introdueed into the posterior vaginal fornix and retained for two days. The pus-secretion stops by the fourth day, and congestion disap pears in about twenty days. D'Aulnay (La Sem. Med., No. 53, '93).
Methylene-blue is given in gonorrhcea in doses of 3 grains three times a day, also 15 grains of potassium citrate three times a day. James Moore (Brit. Med. Jour., Jan. 16, '97).
Methylene-blue will cure gonorrlicea. in from 4 to 7 da-ys, being especially fatal to diplococei and to pyogenic bacteria. It is best given in gelatin capsules in ' grain doses three or fonr times a day. -After the fourth day the dose may be re duced to twice a day. Gastric symptoms may be avoided by using the following formula:— Methylene-blue (medicinal), 1 grain. Oil of nutmeg, 1 drop.
Oil of sandal, 2 drops.
J. A. ()Weil (Med. Record, lvii, p. 49S, 1900).
Methylene-blue has been tried in a large number of disorders, but in none except those mentioned has it shown it self of special value.
Methylene-blue tried in fourteen cases of cerebral excitement, including mania, paranoia with delirium, chronic alcohol ism, and hystero-epilepsy, and found very satisfactory, when injeeted into the gluteal muscles, in doses of 1 to 11/2 grains. Its quieting effects Mlle on within a few hours, and continued from one to four days. It gave rise to no untoward effects. Bodoin (Kliniseh therap. Woch., Nov. 21, '99).
AIethylcne-blue (medicinal) in concen trated solution, or powder, in the treat ment of metritis is painless, non-caustic, and non-toxic. It quickly arrests met rorrhagia and menorrhagia and dimin ishes leucorrliceal discharges. It some times suppresses pain, especially in dys menorrlicea accompanied by an alteration of the uterine mucosa. Chaleux, Vivie, and Kohler (Archivio de Ginecol., Ostet., y Pediat., Oct. 10, 1900).