In two previous papers1,2 published in the International Journal of Leprosy, one of us (J. Convit) reported the work carried out in collaboration with C. Sisirucá, P. Lapenta, and S. Mendoza with the methylene blue test in leprosy patients with special emphasis on the reaction in borderline cases. It was observed that in these cases intravenous injections of a 1% solution of the dye stained the lepromatous areas of the lesions, but left the tuberculoid parts unaffected. This observation was amply confirmed by the histopathological study of skin specimens. When the dye was administered in a similar manner to patients with indeterminate and tuberculoid leprosy no retention was observed.
The daily doses which began with 2 to 3 cc were stepped up gradually to 10 to 15 cc until a total of 100 had been administered. The patients tolerated the dye well and showed no appreciable toxic effect.
We