Bachelli Method
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
The Bachelli Method is an intravenous administration of soluble mercury compounds for treating syphilis, developed by Italian physician Bachelli in 1894. It involves using soluble mercury salts that don't coagulate protein and can withstand hot sterilization, with a typical dose of 0.01 grams of pure mercury per injection.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
BACHELLI METHOD (Vassel), intravenous administration of a soluble mercury preparation for the treatment of syphilis, proposed in 1894 by the Italian physician Bachelli and studied experimentally by Küzel (Moscow) and clinically by Stukovenkov (Kiev). For intravenous administration, only soluble salts that do not coagulate protein and can withstand hot sterilization are suitable (mercuric cyanide, mercuric iodide, mercuric benzoate). The usual dose is 0.01 grams of pure mercury per injection. Solutions are preferably dispensed in ampoules, which should be heated in warm water to body temperature before injection. It is indicated for threatening manifestations of syphilis (iritis, meningitis, etc.). The rate of entry and elimination of mercury with the B. m. is the highest; therefore, the Bachelli method is unsuitable for the primary treatment of syphilis, and after achieving the desired effect, it is necessary to switch to other methods of mercury administration, in which it is retained in the body for a longer time.
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Cite this page
“Bachelli Method.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/bachelli-method/