The Effect of Oral Therapy with Cobaltous Chloride on the Blood of Patients Suffering with Chronic Suppurative Infection

Abstract

DURING a study of prolonged suppurative infection in 91 young men, we observed reticulocytosis, which was followed by increases in hematocrit and hemoglobin values, in the blood of patients being given cobaltous chloride by mouth.¹ These findings were not completely unexpected since it has long been known that cobalt is a hematopoietic agent effective in deficient² and healthy animals.³ Therapy with cobalt apparently stimulates red-cell production in children,⁴ as well as in adults,⁵ and also protects animals from developing anemia when sterile suppuration is induced experimentally.⁶ As far as we are aware cobalt has not been employed in this country . . .