ACRIFLAVINE HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACRIFLAVINE BASE

In his classic studies on trypanosome infections, Ehrlich found that the acridine dyes were quite effective. During the war, the popularity of the acridine dyes increased. Of the many antiseptics and germicides introduced at that time, acriflavine hydrochloride and acriflavine base are still widely used in therapy. The free base, 3:6 diamino-10-methyl-acridinium chloride was called "Trypaflavine" by Ehrlich. In England and in this country, however, the hydrochloride is commonly known as acriflavine, although the free base (which has also the designation of "neutral" acriflavine) sometimes goes under the same name. Since 1919, the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry has had standards for these two products. A number of years ago it became evident that the standards were not adequate. Also some American authors asserted that the foreign product was superior to the domestic. In view of this, the American Medical Association chemical laboratory about three years ago