Use of Liver Extract Intramuscularly in the Course of Acute Amebiasis in Dogs. ∗

Abstract

Previous communications from this laboratory 1 , 2 , 3 have demonstrated the amebostatic and possibly amebacidal properties of whole raw liver and of powdered liver extract administered orally to dogs which had been experimentally infected with human strains of Endamoeba histolytica. The present investigation deals with dogs, similarly infected and suffering from acute amebic enteritis, treated with liver extract intramuscularly. In 6 such animals a commercial product, generously furnished us by Parke, Davis and Co., was used; in a parallel series of 8 dogs we prepared our own sterile fresh liver extract. In both series 1 cc. of the extract represented 5 gm. of fresh pig's liver. Alternately 2 cc. of the extract was injected respectively into the right and left gluteus muscles. The results of the investigation, together with the clinical history of the animals and brief autopsy reports, are presented in the following protocols. In all cases the same human strain of the organism, previously passed through several dogs, was utilized. We are indebted to Col. Chas. F. Craig for certain complement fixation tests on these dogs.