That hexamethylenamin manifests antiseptic properties in the meningeal fluid seems to have been fully demonstrated. Crowe1 reports a case of cerebrospinal fistula in which, at the suggestion of Dr. Cushing, hexamethylenamin was administered for its antiseptic effect and the patient recovered.
By a modification of Hehner's test it was found by lumbar puncture that hexamethylenamin is invariably present in the cerebrospinal fluid in from one-half to one hour following its administration.
Having this recent discovery in mind, I applied it in the following case:
Betty O., aged 19 months, was first seen August 30, with a small abrasion on the left leg, having the appearance of a bite which had been aggravated by scratching. The following day an erythema occurred, spreading rapidly up the leg and thigh and accompanied by a temperature of 103.5 F. The erysipelatous