RT Journal
A1 Hyman H
T1 "Complications due to arsenical therapy in syphilitic pregnant women"
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1939
FD May 27
VO 112
IS 21
SP 2191
OP 2191
DO 10.1001/jama.1939.02800210085027
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1939.02800210085027
AB To the Editor:— 
    In The Journal, April 22, appears an exceedingly valuable contribution on the complications due to arsenical therapy in syphilitic pregnant women, with a report of seven maternal deaths, by Dr. Norman R. Ingraham Jr. Two of the fatalities (cases 3 and 4) were designated as acute circulatory collapse: one following the third injection of neoarsphenamine and the other following a second injection. Each death occurred within an hour after treatment. In commenting on the series, Dr. Ingraham notes that "81 per cent of these fatal treatment reactions were precipitated by three or less arsenical injections" and that "death likewise has been a matter usually of only hours or days."It is apparently obvious to the author that the fatalities cannot be due to the heavy metal, for he goes on to discuss "the possibility of atopic drug allergy" or "sensitization (acquired allergy)" and states that "such speculation