Four years' experience of melarsen oxide/BAL in the treatment of late-stage rhodesian sleeping sickness

Abstract
1. This paper presents the results of four years' experience in the treatment of late-stage Trypanosoma rhodesiense infections in man, using melarsen oxide/BAL. Different dosage schemes are set out and discussed. 2. It is shown that melarsen oxide/BAL is a most valuable drug for the treatment of these late-stage rhodesiense infections, otherwise incurable. Even a few extremely advanced cases in patients almost moribund before treatment, have been brought to a state of probable cure. 3. The necessity for a careful individual approach as regards dosage is stressed, particularly important for those in poor condition before treatment. 4. Provided that careful attention is given to keeping dosage in line with the patient's condition and with his response to treatment, the problem of the drug's toxicity is not serious. 5. In those patients showing mental abnormality or mental dullness before treatment there is often astonishing improvement following melarsen oxide/BAL.