Abstract
Cod liver oil has been used from time immemorial by fisher folk for the treatment of external wounds, and it has long been recommended for the treatment of tuberculosis. Löhr, 1 studying the wound healing properties of cod liver oil in various types of wounds, reported that this oil would aid in the healing of lupus. Our interest in the influence of cod liver oil on tuberculous lesions was especially aroused by the report of its successful use in the treatment of 3 cases of lupus by Banyai. 2
Our purpose was (1) to confirm, if possible, the clinical observations on man by studying the effect of cod liver oil on tuberculous skin ulcers in guinea pigs, and if the results should prove favorable, (2) to isolate the chemical fraction in the oil responsible for the healing action, (3) to study its effect on other types of experimental tuberculosis, and (4) if these experiments should be satisfactory, then to determine the effect of the “pure substance” in human tuberculosis.
Tuberculous skin ulcers were produced by the intracutaneous injection of 0.2 mg of virulent tubercle bacilli (H37) and treated topically twice daily with a few drops of cod liver oil. Our first experiment, using 24 animals, verified the clinical observations in that the lesions in the treated animals healed more rapidly than those in the controls. Each animal received 3 cc of the bacterial suspension standardized by the method of Breed and Breed as given by Baldwin. 3 At 2 weeks induration was noted; ulcers approximately 1 cm in diameter were present at 3-4 weeks. Treatment was started on the 28th day of infection and lasted until the lesions were closed or until the experiment was terminated 30-40 days later.
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