Artificial Fever Therapy in Cases of Ocular Syphilis

Possible Applications of Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH) and Cortisone in Syphilis

“…Choroiditis, chorioretinitis, and neuroretinitis would be expected to benefit from cortisone. Good results have been reported in cases of this type after fever therapy (Culler and Simpson, 1936;Knight and Schachat, 1946), and also after ACTH and cortisone, though none of the cases reported in the latter group were associated with syphilis. The possible application of the hormone in optic atrophy has already been referred to.…”

“…The acute irido-cyclitis that occasionally occurs in " secondary " syphilis usually responds well to specific drug therapy, but cortisone would hasten the relief of symptoms and ensure a better local result. Fever therapy has already been shown to have this effect (Culler and Simpson, 1936;McGavic, 1938;Knight and Schachat, 1946). Choroiditis, chorioretinitis, and neuroretinitis would be expected to benefit from cortisone.…”

Fever Therapy

“…It is generally believed that fever rarely produces any improvement in the vision of patients with primary luetic optic atrophy. 16,17 While there have been but few favorable reports concerning improvement of vision,18,19 notably that of Breutsch, there is more to be said about the arrest of the progress of atrophy, although there is by no means uniformity of opinion. While the literature has not contained very many reports, most authors with experience seem to think that a good many cases are apparently slowed up and that fever is worth trying; but there is hardly any optimism or conviction that the majority of cases can be permanently arrested.…”