AN EFFECTIVE REGIME FOR THE TREATMENT OF SCHITOSOMIASIS JAPONICA WITH TARTAR EMETIC IN RABBITS

In an attempt to ascertain an effective schistosomi cidal regime with tartar emetic,we de- vised an animal experiment of two steps:first,to obtain an optimal initial big dose which would cause the adult worms to shift from mesenteric vessels toward the liver and secondl,to obtain an optimal maintenance dose which would prevente the worms from moving back from the portal radicals.The experiment was carried out as follows: (1)Rabbits each infected with 100 cercariae of Schistosoma Japonicum were divided into three groups and doses of tartar emetic 8 mg/kg/day were administered intravenously for 1,2 and 3 days respectively.The hepatic shifts of worms in three groups were found to be 74.0%, 93.5% and 98.0% respectively. (2)At first the maintenance dosage was determined by calculating the amount of drug excreted in the urine and stool on the second day.Then we gave this amount,double and triple of it to three different groups of rabbits and each group was further divided into 3 sub-groups which received the maintenance dose for 3,5 and 7 days respectively. It was found that the retaining rate of the worms was inversely proportional to the main- tenance dosage and the length of the course.Comparatively satisfactory results were obtained in groups which received 8 mg/kg for two days followed by a maintenance dose triple the amount excreted on the second day for 3 or 5 days.