The treatment of amebic colitis with diiodohydroxylquinoline (diodoquin)

Summary

In a preliminary study of 25 cases of acute and chronic amebic colitis treated with a newer oxyquinoline compound of iodine containing approximately 64% of iodine, beneficial results were obtained in a comparatively short period of drug administration. These results have been observed over varying lengths of time, from one to nine months. The benefits were measured by the effects, in acute cases, on the pathology in the rectum and sigmoid as determined by repeated sigmoidoscopic examination before, during and following treatment. Results were determined in both acute and chronic cases of amebic colitis by microscopic study of saline-purged stools at regular intervals of one week. Invariably the amebae disappeared from the stool following sixteen days of treatment. The writer finds that the dosage of diiodohydroxylquinoline should be 22.5 grains to 30 grains per day. The drug is practically non-toxic, with headache being one predominant symptom in the three patients that complained.