Arsenical encephalopathy occurring in the treatment of lues during pregnancy.

The dangers of treatment of syphilis are often minimized; one of the most serious complications of arsenical treatment is encephalopathy. This complication is rare, but is associated with a high mortality. There is apparently some difference of opinion and experience regarding the increased hazards oftreatment oflues during pregnancy. Earle Moore and others (1948) emphasize the rarity of arsenical encephalopathy during pregnancy provided there is close supervision. Batchelor (1949) states that pregnancy increases the risk of toxic effects. Stokes emphasizes the possibility of arsenical encephalopathy being confused with toxaemia of pregnancy, insisting that stringent observation and precautions against the toxic effects of arsenicals must be observed. The purpose of this communication is to report two fatal cases of arsenical encephalopathy in pregnant women, and to advocate a scheme of treatment which excludes arsenical drugs during pregnancy. The two cases occurred in a series of 256 pregnant women treated for syphilis in Leeds United Hospitals during the two years 1947-1949.