Letters.
An Antidote to Malarial and Yellow Fever Infection.
Editor Ellingwood's Therapeutist:
I ask your pardon for being so dilatory in sending my therapeutic fact. I find a great many good things in your journal, and take pleasure in extending my best wishes to you for its prosperity in the future. I have long been a reader of medical articles from your pen and always with profit to me, but have never given back anything except the dollars I have sent you for subscriptions. I apologize for this also.
I have been a reader of medical journals since 1854. Since 1865 they have been a continued post-graduate school to me in therapeutics, and in keeping me in close touch with the rise and progress of medicine during the last half century. Not withstanding this fact, you will doubtless smile when I tell you that during this long professional career you are the first man that has been able to draw out my effort in writing for a medical journal; to send in even one therapeutic fact. This is my very first effort.
Chloroform Solution of Menthol.
As an immediate and effectual antidote to the bite of poisonous insects, and especially to the mosquito bite, to prevent its infecting the system, I have great confidence in the following:
Menthol, drs. 2
Chloroform, oz. 1
Mix. Sig. Apply into and over the wound as soon as possible after being bitten, and repeat the application every ten or fifteen minutes, for a short time.
Some twelve or fifteen years ago, I was bitten by a mosquito on my left thumb, the bite causing at once most severe pain, as though the thumb had been pierced through with a sharp knife. In the watch pocket of my vest, I had an ounce bottle of the above solution. I immediately bathed the wound with this, rubbing it in freely. It was not ten seconds until all the pain had ceased. This bite never gave me any further trouble, and from that day to this, I have used this combination for poisonous insect bites with complete success.
I always carry this vial in my vest pocket for emergencies. I believe this of special value since we have learned that the mosquito bite carries infectious disease, such as malaria and yellow fever. I believe the infected material is destroyed and the bite is rendered innocuous if the application is made promptly. I believe the combination of rare merit and great power in these cases if applied at once. I send this up for you to pass on through THE THERAPEUTIST to the medical profession at large, especially to those in yellow fever and malarial districts, for further experimentation, and for the benefit of scientific research.
WM. HILL, M. D.
COMMENT: We have not as yet considered the importance of treating these bites to prevent the development of the infection as we would at once treat an infected wound or the bite of a rabid dog, and the doctor's suggestion is perhaps the first in this very important field. Malarial manifestations are readily induced in this climate by mosquito bites, and in any location an efficient antidote ready of application will prove of immense value
Ellingwood's Therapeutist, Vol. 3, 1909, was edited by Finley Ellingwood M.D.
