CLINICAL USES OF 2,3-DIMERCAPTOPROPANOL (BAL). VIII. THE EFFECT OF BAL ON THE EXCRETION OF ARSENIC IN ARSENICAL INTOXICATION 1

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Urinary As has been detd. before and after BAL therapy in 16 patients with arsenical intoxication and in 2 patients receiving arsenical treatment without reaction. Of 24 courses of BAL admn., 16 were followed by a definite increase in As excretion, 4 by a possible increase, and 4 by no increase. On no occasion was there a decreased excretion of As during BAL treatment. The increase in urinary As after BAL appears to be more consistent in patients with arsenical dermatitis than in hepatitis, suggesting a correlation with the greater efficacy of BAL in the treatment of dermatitis. The increases of urinary organic S and reducing substances coincide with the increased urinary As after BAL admn., lending support to the idea that the excretion of BAL or a closely related substance is associated with the increased As excretion.
Keywords