On the Therapeutic Effects of the Subcutaneous Injection of Ringer-Locke's Solution in Various Forms of Mental Disease

Abstract

Since May, 1915, I have habitually used the Cantani injection in moribund cases of general paralysis, and I have been impressed on many occasions by the remarkable effects produced, in that the life of the patient has been prolonged generally for several days and often for a matter of weeks or months. I had been taught that nearly all forms of mental disease were practically incurable, and that general paralysis in particular was not only incurable, but invariably fatal. In view of my experience, however, I determined to try and improve the method. In taking up the investigation I was largely influenced by the fact that if the method of treatment were successful it would have the strong practical advantage of keeping the patients alive until relatives residing at long distances could reach them and so be present at the death-bed.