Fever therapy in leprosy

ABSTRACT

1- A total of 164 fever treatments were given to a group of 18 leprosy patients. 2- Fever was induced in the Kettering hypertherm, in most instances the temperature of the patient being maintained at 105º or 106ºF. for five hours. 3- In 15 out of the 164 fever sessions complications caused the termination of treatment in less than the scheduled time. 4- Since receiving the fever treatment 13 of the patients have become worse, 2 have remained stationary, 1 has been paroled, 1 died of pneumonia and 1 died of carcinoma. 5- It is our opinion that fever therapy has been of no benefit in the treatment of these cases, the disease having progressed as would have been expected otherwise, without interruption in its course. The treatment was helpful in clearing up secondarily infected ulcers and mycotic infections of finger nails and toe nails. 6- Details of each case are presented.