Therapeutic trials in multiple sclerosis. Preliminary report on effects of intrathecal infection of tuberculin (P.P.D.).

In 1957, Smith, Espir, Whitty, and Russell described what they regarded as characteristic changes in the spinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis following intrathecal injection of tuberculin (purified protein derivative, P.P.D.). They regarded these changes as indicating an abnormal and possibly specific immunological reaction, suggested that the administration of P.P.D. "might be beneficial in multiple sclerosis", and quoted initial clinical observations which seemed to lend some support to this view. The spinal fluid changes described were