Chronic hypochromic anemia is characterized primarily by a deficiency of hemoglobin. Iron is adequately effective in treatment, although this element composes only a small portion of the hemoglobin molecule. It is thus of interest to inquire whether other factors may be lacking besides iron and, if so, whether these factors when supplied can assist in the formation of hemoglobin.
In addition to a lack of iron there may occur sometimes a deficiency of other substances useful in the formation of hemoglobin, such as substances which occur in liver. Material contained in bile pigment perhaps may be wanting. Bile pigment1 has been shown to exert a favorable effect on the regeneration of hemoglobin in cases of chronic hypochromic anemia. As a working hypothesis it has been assumed that the pigment aids in the synthesis of hemoglobin by supplying material suitable for the heme portion of the molecule. Because of the