LIVER EXTRACT, LIVER ASH AND IRON IN THE TREATMENT OF ANEMIA

Abstract

The response of the blood in anemia was studied in 55 patients, 14 on liver, 10 on liver ash, and 31 on various doses of Fe. Liver extract was of demonstrable value in increasing the regeneration of hemoglobin in some of the obscure nutritional anemias of childhood, in some of the anemias associated with dysentery, hookworm infestation, and pregnancy. In some cases its effect could be enhanced by Fe. Liver ash, when given in amounts equivalent to 300 gm. of whole liver, was of little demonstrable value in increasing hemoglobin regeneration. In some cases there was a slight increase in the reticulocytes, hemoglobin, and erythrocytes, but the results were never as conspicuous as those obtained with liver extract or large doses of Fe. Fe was effective in the treatment of various forms of anemia. Large doses were more effective than small ones. In many instances the effect of Fe exceeded both liver, liver extract, or liver ash, and in some cases a favorable response did not occur until Fe was added. When recovery from the anemias followed either liver extract or Fe there was an increase in the reticulocytes of the circulating blood. The lower the erythrocyte count before treatment, the higher were the reticulocytes at the peak of the rise.