★★★★★
The Quinologist Volume 5, page 752,1882
Baboo Brojendra Nath Banerjee used tincture of iodine, in 1879, in more than 500 cases, and thought that many of them were cured as if by magic. In 1880 he again tried it, but with less success . The cause of this discrepancy was that he had at first overlooked the fact that in every malarial epidemic there are many cases of ephemeral or one-day fever, with a temperature of 105 or 106 degs., a pulse of 120 or 130, quick and labored respiration, intense headache, and even delirium. In these cases there is only one febrile attack, which does not recur. When medicine is given in such cases, the non-recurrence of the attack is ascribed to the medicine and whatever happens to be given appears to cure the fever. Intermittent fever also tends to spontaneous cure on the third, fourth, fifth, and even seventh or eighth day. Old women in the country villages of India are acquainted with this fact, and wait until the third day before they give medicine. His experience since he became acquainted with ephemeral fever and the spontaneous cure of intermittent fever has shown him that while iodine may cure about 55 per cent. of malarial cases, it cannot rival quinine. In many respects it is much inferior to it. There are very few persons who cannot tolerate quinine, whereas iodine disagrees with many. It cannot and never should be given when there is nausea or vomiting and burning of the skin. It is certain to aggravate these symptoms fourfold and make the patient nearly mad. Distressing symptoms are sometimes produced by iodine. It produces flushing of the face, severe vomiting and retching, intense burning of the skin, formication, injection of the conjunctivæ, and coryza. — Indian Med. Gazette.
