Permanganate of Potassium in Septic Fever

I should like to present the following as my method of treating those cases of blood poisoning in which there is a high temperature. The reader will probably give veratrum and echinacea in these cases, but I have found the temperature to drop much more quickly by using this method in addition.

I make a solution of the permanganate of potassium and use this as a rectal enema, insisting upon the patient holding it as long as possible. The enema may be repeated three or four times a day. You will find that the temperature goes down very rapidly.

C. L. WAKEMAN, M. D.

COMMENT.—Theoretically this agent would be decomposed as soon as it comes in contact with the secretions and excretions of the intestinal tract. If there was organic infection there to be destroyed by the nascent oxygen that is supposed to be freed by the decomposition we could understand its action. How it would influence toxins in the blood would have to be explained. Clinical results, however, are very potent in demolishing theory, and the doctor says the results can be obtained.

Ellingwood's Therapeutist, Vol. 3, 1909, was edited by Finley Ellingwood M.D.