B. B. Breese

The accuracy of diagnosis of beta streptococcal infections on clinical grounds

Summary In a group of 1,199 cases of illness in children suspected of having streptococcal infection a diagnosis on clinical grounds was correct in approximately 75 per cent of patients. Certain symptoms and signs were suggestive of streptococcal infection but none were diagnostic. Throat cultures materially increase the accuracy of diagnosis.

Vitamin A absorption in celiac disease

Summary Patients with celiac disease are unable to absorb vitamin A normally and when given a large amount of vitamin A by mouth do not show an increase in the blood vitamin A equal to that of a group of children with other diseases. This inability of the patient with celiac disease to absorb vitamin Ais usually associated with a flat sugar tolerance curve, increased per cent of fat in stools, and low carotenoid pigments in the blood. This inability to absorb vitamin A normally, although characteristic ofceliac disease, does occur in other diseases and is, therefore, not pathognomonic of celiac disease.

A comparison of intramuscular and oral benzathine penicillin G in the treatment of streptococcal infections in children

T HIS study was planned to determine whether the oral or the parenteral use of penicillin is superior in the treatment of beta hemolytic streptococcal infections in children. We also hoped to rind the best practical dosage schedule for oral penicillin. Because previous experience had convinced us that a single intramuscular dose of 600,000 units of benzathine penicillin G was a highly effective and practical method of therapy in these infections, ~ we compared it with the same penicillin salt in oral form.

Aureomycin in the treatment of beta hemolytic streptococcal infections

Summary Aureomycin in relatively small doses was an effective medication against beta hemolytic streptococcal infections. Its immediate clinical effect was excellent, but bacteriologic and clinical recurrences appeared in a moderate number of cases, even when the patients were treated for as long as twelve days. Antibody response as measured by antistreptolysin and antihyaluronidase titer appeared in a minority of patients treated by this antibiotic. In a few patients persistently high sedimentation rates followed its use. Early pyogenic complications were uncommon and late complications such as rheumatic fever or nephritis were not observed.