WE HAVE been conducting clinical trials with several experimental preparations in the treatment of tinea capitis. In March, 1950, a study was begun with asterol ® dihydrochloride. This antifungal material, the dihydrochloride of 2-dimethylamino-6-(b-diethylaminoethoxy)-benzothiazole, has been shown to be a potent fungicide both in vitro1 and clinically,2 with low sensitizing and low irritating properties. This report deals with those cases of Microsporum audouini scalp infection treated solely with a 5% asterol® dihydrochloride ointment in polyethylene glycol (carbowax®) 1500.
The areas of fluorescence under Wood's lamp were measured and charted on special forms, and mycological cultures were taken of infected hairs. The patients were instructed to shave or close-clip the scalp hair, to rub the medicament thoroughly twice daily into the entire scalp, and to shampoo the head nightly with medicinal soft soap liniment. A stocking cap, boiled and changed daily, was to be worn at all times.