The value of nonspecific treatment, including pyretotherapy, in dermatology has long been recognized.1
The purpose of this communication is to report the results of a clinical trial of a new pyrogenic agent, pyromen.® 2 This substance is a purified product obtained from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is not a protein and is free from bacteria and other toxic material. It is not anaphylactogenic and is antigenic only in that increasing amounts usually must be given for each succeeding bout when repeated courses of fever are desired in a short period.3
After its intravenous administration a chilling phase ensues, during which there is peripheral vasoconstriction with concomitant decrease in the temperature of the skin of all the extremities. There is initial leukopenia followed by pronounced leukocytosis which usually persists for many hours. As with other forms of fever therapy, one occasionally encounters transient albuminuria and occasional hyaline casts.
Pyromen