Barrier-Abortion Method

BARRIER-ABORTION METHOD, the name given in 1909 by Allopo (see) to the method he perfected for aborting syphilis through the "continuous destruction of treponemes in the chancre and neighboring areas." Before Allopo, from the middle of the XIX century, many syphilidologists had vainly attempted to abort syphilis by repeated injections of mercury (or iodine) solutions under the skin of the penis, in the groin area, and into the tissue of the lymphatic glands. Allopo recommended beginning treatment before the 20th day of the chancre's existence; daily inject 0.2 gectin (or 1 cubic cm of a 0.5% solution of mercuric cyanide) into the chancre tissue, under the chancre, and under the skin of the penis to its root, averaging 30 injections per course; rub 30% atoxil ointment into the chancre; make injections into the thickness of the buttocks of a 2% solution of mercuric benzoate to destroy individual treponemes that had "slipped into" the blood; take (optionally) potassium iodide. The method has only historical interest. Modern therapy has supplanted it. It is painful, causes swelling, can only be performed in a hospital, is applicable far from in every localization of the chancre, has not been followed up for long periods, and often does not prevent general manifestations, etc.