In recent years, the number of antisyphilitic drugs has increased to the extent that one can easily be misled as to the efficacy of an antisyphilitic agent. Voegtlin and Thompson1 have suggested that all antisyphilitic drugs should be studied first on experimental syphilis in the laboratory before being placed in the hands of syphilologists. This study should bring out the merits of the drug.
With this in view, it was undertaken to ascertain whether mercurosal possesses a spirocheticidal power in vitro and vivo on Spirochaeta novyi and Spirochaeta pallida and to determine the curative dosage.
Mercurosal is a derivative from salicyl-oxy-acetic acid and mercury acetate, disodium mercurisalicyl-oxy-acetate. It is a white powder, soluble in water, slightly alkaline in reaction. It contains about 44 per cent, by weight of metallic mercury. Its solution does not precipitate protein in serum. Toxicity to rabbits, white rats and dogs2 intravenously is about