Landmark article Sept 17, 1938: Sodium diphenyl hydantoinate in the treatment of convulsive disorders. By H. Houston Merritt and Tracy J. Putnam.

In a previous study it has been shown that sodium diphenyl hydantoinate is effective in preventing electrically induced convulsive seizures in cats. The drug is relatively nontoxic and well tolerated by the usual laboratory animals. A clinical trial of sodium diphenyl hydantoinate was made in 200 patients with frequent convulsive seizures which had not been relieved by the previous modes of therapy. In 142 such patients who have received the treatment for periods varying from two to eleven months, grand mal attacks were relieved in 58 per cent and greatly decreased in frequency in an additional 27 per cent; petit mal attacks were relieved in 35 per cent and greatly decreased in frequency in an additional 49 per cent, and psychic equivalent attacks were relieved in 67 per cent and greatly decreased in frequency in 33 per cent. There were no fatalities. A toxic dermatitis occurred in ten patients (5 per cent), nonthrombocytopenic purpura in one patient and minor (in many instances, transient) toxic reactions, tremors, ataxia, dizziness and the like in approximately 15 per cent.