INTRAVENOUS INJECTIONS OF HYPERTONIC GLUCOSE SOLUTION IN INFLUENZAL PNEUMONIA

Abstract

One of the trying experiences of the medical profession during the late pandemic of influenza was the apparent helplessness in the treatment of the chief complication, pneumonia. The experience at the Camp Travis Base Hospital probably paralleled that of other similar institutions. At first, only the commonly accepted methods of treatment were used; but it soon became evident that some additional measures must be employed, else a very high mortality would result. At this hospital, resort was made to the use of quinin because of its recognized pneumococcidal action, and to the intravenous injections of hypertonic glucose solution. The results following the quinin medication are to be reported by others. The good results following the glucose treatment are attested by a relatively low mortality. This report deals with the results obtained in 319 cases of influenzal pneumonia, in which one or more injections of a sterile hypertonic glucose solution were