Controlled evaluations of repository therapy in ragweed hay fever

Controlled observations of repository therapy during four consecutive seasons of ragweed hay fever indicated no significant improvement of symptoms in 132 patients: (a) In 1960, a small group of patients showed improvement when treated for the first time. (b) In 1961 and 1962, with a larger number of newly selected previously untreated patients, the improvement noted in 1960 could not be substantiated despite larger doses and more careful methods of evaluation. (c) In 1963, patients retreated for a second and third year still failed to show any significant improvement. Our lack of any convincing therapeutic effect even after 3 consecutive years of treatment does not encourage us to investigate further any therapeutic methods which employ presently available emulsifiers and mineral oil.