TREATMENT OF PNEUMOCOCCIC PNEUMONIAS WITH SULFAPYRIDINE, SULFATHIAZOLE AND SERUM; ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF SPECIFIC THERAPY AT THE BOSTON CITY HOSPITAL FROM JULY 1939 THROUGH JUNE 1940

Abstract

Specific therapy, consisting essentially of sulfapyridine or sulfathiazole, supplemented in some cases by type-specific antipneumococcus serums, was used in 76% of 911 cases. The mortality in all the treated cases was 16.4%. Sulfapyridine and sulfathiazole were used in identical manner and the results of the treatment were essentially the same with the the 2 drugs. Administration of both sulfapyridine and sulfathiazole was accompanied by untoward effects which varied in frequency and severity. Anemia. leukopenia and relapses were more frequent among the sulfapyridine-treated cases; drug rashes were more frequent among the sulfathiazole recipients; hematuria was about as frequent with the one drug as with the other. The most common toxic effect of both drugs was the nausea and vomiting, and this symptom was considerably less frequent and less severe among the cases treated with sulfathiazole, making this drug considerably easier to give to most patients.