Clinical Experience with Ataractic Therapy in Tuberculous Psychiatric Patients

¹ Physician in Charge, Tuberculosis Control Service, Chicago State Hospital.
² Chief, Tuberculosis Control Service, State of Illinois, Department of Public Welfare.

(1) Various combinations of tranquilizing drugs were given to four groups of neuropsychiatric tuberculous patients. Rauwiloid, Serpasil, Thorazine and a combination of the latter two drugs was used.

(2) Ataractics appear to be of value as an adjunct in the management and treatment of NP tuberculous patients. The majority improved sufficiently to permit psychiatric discharge and there was a definite beneficial effect of the tranquilizing drugs upon the course of the tuberculous condition.

(3) After comparing the actions of the various ataractic drugs, we found that the combination of Chlorpromazine and Rauwolfia Serpentina accomplishes the beneficial effect more rapidly.

(4) Ataractic drugs should be considered as an adjunctive therapy in NP tuberculous patients. The drug must be given in sufficient dosage and for a sufficient length of time in order to be therapeutically effective. Individualization of dosage is necessary.

(5) Serious side reactions were not encountered.

(6) It should be stressed that the ataractics used in our project failed to show antituberculous therapeutic properties per se.