226 DISEASE CONTROL 



Dack (159) reported that CI. sforo genes formed in the soil was re- 

 sponsible for destroying the toxin of CI. botuUnum. 



ANTIBIOTIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE CONTROL 



In discussing the subject of antiseptics in war-time surgery, Fleming 

 emphasized that the treatment of war wounds has become far more 

 satisfactory during the second world war than it was during the first. 

 It is now known, for instance, that carbolic acid lacks value inside the 

 human body, as demonstrated by a diminution in efficiency with in- 

 creasing concentrations, due to its destructive effect upon the blood 

 leukocytes and body tissues. Dyes have been found also to be of little 

 value, since they are absorbed by the cotton used in dressing the 

 wounds. Fleming (260) warned against placing too much faith in anti- 

 septics belonging to the sulfonamide group, since they are not general 

 antiseptics but have specific effects upon certain bacteria, and their ac- 

 tion is neutralized by chemicals, by pus, and by dead bacterial cells. 

 They are, therefore, of little value in the treatment of seriously septic 

 wounds, in which pus and bacteria are inevitably present. Their major 

 importance is due chiefly to their great solubility, since they dissolve to 

 form high concentrations in the wound. 



In view of these limitations in the use of chemical antiseptics, bacterio- 

 static and bactericidal (antibiotic) agents produced by microorganisms 

 may find particular application. Among the substances formerly utilized 

 for this purpose pyocyanase has received special consideration (239). 

 Unfortunately, the variation in the nature of the preparation of this 

 material and the difficulty of keeping it in an active condition for very 

 long periods of time have prevented its wider usefulness. Among the 

 more recent preparations, penicillin occupies a leading place. 



Penicillin 



Nature of Action. The action of penicillin upon bacteria is chiefly 

 bacteriostatic and not bactericidal (260). Penicillin shows in vitro a high 

 degree of specificity j pyogenic cocci, anaerobic Clostridia, and certain 

 pathogenic gram-negative cocci {GonococcuSy Meningococcus y and Mi- 

 crococcus catarrhalis) are sensitive, whereas the colon-typhoid, hemo- 



