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Story
May 28, 1953
Gadsden County Times
Quincy, Gadsden County, Florida
What is this article about?
Sir Alexander Fleming warns of global over-use of penicillin, which causes patient sensitivity rather than germ resistance. It doesn't treat colds, and while streptomycin faces bacterial resistance, penicillin does not, except for one pre-existing case.
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Full Text
Penicillin Over-Used
Sir Alexander Fleming, British scientist who discovered Penicillin, said recently the drug was over-used in every part of the world. He denied, however, that repeated use of penicillin makes microbes resistant to it. Rather, he said, some people become sensitive to it and although the penicillin still works on the germs, the effect of the penicillin on the patient is as bad, or worse than the effect of the ailment.
Sir Alexander believes penicillin does not help the patient with a common cold. Therefore, he thinks shots of penicillin, given to counter the common cold, are abuses of the drug's use. Interestingly, the scientist agrees that there is a growing resistance, by some bacteria, to the drug Streptomycin, although he said the same problem was not encountered in the use of penicillin.
The British scientist said the only important bacteria which has shown some resistance to penicillin was one that was resistant to the drug even before it was put into use.
Sir Alexander Fleming, British scientist who discovered Penicillin, said recently the drug was over-used in every part of the world. He denied, however, that repeated use of penicillin makes microbes resistant to it. Rather, he said, some people become sensitive to it and although the penicillin still works on the germs, the effect of the penicillin on the patient is as bad, or worse than the effect of the ailment.
Sir Alexander believes penicillin does not help the patient with a common cold. Therefore, he thinks shots of penicillin, given to counter the common cold, are abuses of the drug's use. Interestingly, the scientist agrees that there is a growing resistance, by some bacteria, to the drug Streptomycin, although he said the same problem was not encountered in the use of penicillin.
The British scientist said the only important bacteria which has shown some resistance to penicillin was one that was resistant to the drug even before it was put into use.
What sub-type of article is it?
Medical Curiosity
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Penicillin Over Use
Drug Sensitivity
Common Cold
Streptomycin Resistance
Bacterial Resistance
What entities or persons were involved?
Sir Alexander Fleming
Story Details
Key Persons
Sir Alexander Fleming
Event Date
Recently
Story Details
Sir Alexander Fleming states that penicillin is over-used worldwide, causing sensitivity in patients rather than microbial resistance. He notes it does not help with common colds, deems such uses abusive, observes growing bacterial resistance to streptomycin but not penicillin, and mentions one pre-existing resistant bacteria.