A Study on Therapeutic Evaluation of Isoniazid in Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

¹ Assistant Professor, in Medical School of Ankara University, Turkey.
² Medical Director of Eastern North Carolina Sanatorium, Wilson, N.C.

Isoniazid has been given to 92 cases in the Eastern North Carolina Sanatorium starting April 4, 1952, for a five to 11 months period. The great majority had received streptomycin and PAS previously. These investigations were directed toward the evaluation of therapeutic and toxic effects of the drug.

Because the great majority of the studied cases (77 per cent) were far advanced, the first results of therapy were seen on the general condition. Relief of the common toxic symptoms of tuberculosis occurred early. Specific respiratory symptoms were slower. Systemic toxic manifestations of tuberculosis ameliorated almost dramatically within three to four weeks. In the following phase respiratory signs were diminished. X-ray film changes were not as significant as was the clinical improvement.

Clinical, and in some cases roentgenological, improvement gradually increased for about five or six months, after which there was either no further change or there was evidence of relapse.

Toxicity of the drug, especially on the central and peripheral nervous systems, is reported.