Linser's Method

Linser's method (Linser) for the treatment of syphilis, proposed by the German syphilidologist Linser in 1919, represents one of the types of so-called mixed anti-syphilitic treatment: 8–10 cm³ of a solution of the usual dose of neosalvarsan is injected into a vein, to which 1–2 cm³ of a 1–2% solution of sublimate has been added in the hope of enhancing the therapeutic effect of arsenobenzene, softening the toxicity of mercury, and slowing the elimination of neo. Later researchers also used other arsenobenzene preparations (salvarsan, silver salvarsan, neosilver-salvarsan, salvarsan-sodium, etc.). Since the introduction of a sublimate solution into a vein causes phlebitis, and a mixture of solutions of neo and sublimate produces a dark, turbid solution, subsequent authors preferred other mercury compounds (azurol, novasurol, embarin, etc.) to sublimate, along with even sodium iodide (saluesin, etc.). The introduction of a new specific preparation—bismuth—into the therapy of syphilis diverted attention from Linser's method, which received very contradictory reviews, was not followed up for a long time in terms of determining the fate of syphilitics treated by this method, and quickly fell out of use. That the doses of mercury introduced with it are clearly insufficient and that the usual methodology of salvarsan-mercury therapy provides a better therapeutic effect is indisputable. The unknown chemical composition of the precipitate that results from the mixture of solutions of arsenobenzenes and mercury compounds is also cited as a reproach to Linser's method, although it is, incidentally, devoid of immediate toxic properties.