Reversal by diethyl-stilboestrol of the depressant effect of cortisone on the phagocytic activity of the reticulo-endothelial system

MUCH has already been published showing that cortisone depresses the reaction of the body to common bacterial infections in both animals and man1. In the human subject there is evidence that it may induce activity in a quiescent tuberculous lesion2, while sudden death from acute fulminating pneumonia has been recorded in cases of rheumatoid arthritis under treatment with cortisone. It is, however, now accepted that severe intercurrent infection tends to occur only when large doses are given, and Wayne3is of the opinion that the critical dose of cortisone in the human subject is about 75 mgm. per day, since adverse side-effects commonly develop in patients receiving more than 100 mgm. daily.