Louis T. Wright

Prevention of Postoperative Adhesions in Rabbits with Streptococcal Metabolites.

Conclusion The results in this series of animals were sufficiently encouraging as to justify the further investigation of streptokinase-streptodornase in the prevention of experimental postoperative adhesions.

Influence of sex hormones on tolerance to aminopterin.

Folic acid as a dietary essential for proper biological activity of estrogen has been demonstrated by the reduction of feathering (1) and oviduct response(2) in stilbestrol-treated chicks, absence of normal estrogen response in immature monkeys (3) and ovariectomized rats (4) on folic acid deficient diets. Impairment of reproductive performance of rats (5) results from a pregestational folic acid deficient diet which is further accentuated by the addition of an antifolic acid chemical. The folic acid antagonist, aminopterin (4-amino-pteroylglutamic acid) used to induce a deficiency, decreases (6) the oviduct response to estrogen in newly metamorphosed frogs and interferes (7) with the depressive influence of estradiol on the rat prostate. A quantitative relationship exists between folic acid and estrogen(2); the frogs oviduct response is increased by folic acid(6). Aminopterin possesses no androgenic activity(7) itself and does not interfere with androgen stimulation. However, a folic acid deficiency produces a more effective comb growth response to androsterone in chicks (4). Folic acid, therefore, might be instrumental in inhibiting testosterone induced tissue hypertrophy and a deficiency may be the instrument for inhibition of estrogen induced tissue hypertrophy. Since a quantitative relationship between folic acid and estrogen has been established, indicating a higher estrogen response with greater folic acid intake(2), it might be conceivable that the folic acid requirement is increased in estrogen administration. Hertz(2) has pointed out the destruction of bone marrow by prolonged administration of stilbestrol, which might represent an increased folic acid requirement for bone marrow protection. If the sex hormones influence the folic acid requirement of the body, the measurement of tolerance to an induced folic acid deficiency in the presence and absence of these hormones should demonstrate an appreciable difference. Tolerance to aminopterin, a competitive vitamer, serves as a means of quantitatively determining this factor.

Aureomycin in soft tissue infections

Abstract Aureomycin was used in eighty-two surgical infections of the soft tissues which have been divided into the following groups: cellulitis, perirectal infections, peripheral ulcers, lymphadenitis, traumatic cases, gas gangrene infections and a miscellaneous group. Infections caused by a variety of grampositive and gram-negative bacilli were successfully treated. Most of these infections were caused by staphylococci or beta hemolytic streptococci. The miscellaneous group includes a case of bacteremia by the paracolon bacillus and one by S. minus. The age of the patients and medical complications have not hampered the activity of the drug. Aureomycin was used effectively by the oral, intramuscular and intravenous routes. Blood level studies and in vitro sensitivity tests have been performed and have confirmed the clinical results. No resistance to the drug has developed in any organism in cases in which prolonged administration was necessary. No serious clinical signs of toxicity have been seen as a result of drug administration. A chemical phlebitis developed in approximately 15 per cent of the patients receiving the drug intravenously if its administration extended two days or longer. In our hands aureomycin has yielded satisfactory results in the treatment of the reported infections whether used alone or as an adjunct to indicated surgery. It has appreciably shortened the clinical course of some infections, for example the lymphadenitis cases. In other infections such as cellulitis the usual rate of surgical intervention was markedly reduced during its use. In perirectal infections the use of the drug made early definitive surgery possible by reducing the local infection. Further use of aureomycin in the field of soft tissue infections seems definitely indicated.

A new aureomycin dressing; rationale and use in the treatment of surface wounds.

Abstract 1. 1. Bacteriologic study of 376 cultures from seventy-seven cases, including sixty-five burns and twelve ulcers, showed the relative prevalence of the various bacteria in these wounds before and during the course of treatment with a new aureomycin dressing and demonstrated suppression by the dressing of the growth of pathogenic or potentially pathogenic organisms. It may be presumed that high concentration levels of aureomycin, locally obtainable from the dressing, also resulted in suppression of certain bacteria normally classified as resistant to the drug. 2. 2. In the use of over 2,000 aureomycin dressings on a large variety of surface wounds, including burns, skin graft donor and recipient areas, avulsions, abrasions and ulcers, no untoward reactions and no interference with wound healing were observed. No other contraindications were noted by us as compared to use of any other dressing available. 3. 3. It is our impression that wounds healed with unusual rapidity under the aureomycin dressing, as one might expect when infection is controlled and in the absence of any chemical effect that would retard epithelization. 4. 4. Skin graft donor sites unavoidably contaminated by adjacent burn wounds healed with unusual rapidity under the aureomycin dressing. 5. 5. The aureomycin dressing affords a convenient, readily available dressing offering an extra safeguard against the development of infection, which is an ever present possibility in spite of the best possible aseptic technics.

Aureomycin packing as an adjunct to the surgical treatment of localized infections

Abstract Aureomycin packing was found to be a valuable adjunct to the surgical therapy of certain localized infections. It has been shown to make available high concentrations of aureomycin over a long period of time and not to interfere with wound healing. No significant local or systemic toxic effects were noted nor was allergy or local skin irritation in evidence. Odor from infected wounds has been considerably reduced.

Action of Tri-Ethylene Melamine in Mice.∗

Summary and Conclusions Tri-ethylene melamine decreased the total white blood cell counts and the percentage of mononuclear cells. The total white blood cell counts returned to normal between the sixth and tenth days after injection and the mononuclear count returned to normal after one month. The highest percentage of deaths after single injections occurred between the third and sixth days when the total white blood cell counts were lowest. Surviving animals developed a resistance to a second injection, which manifested itself in a long latent period. Nine out of fifteen of the deaths in the latter group occurred between the ninth and thirty-first days, during which period the white blood cell counts were normal. The median lethal dose after a second injection was considerably lower due to the cumulative effect. The toxic effects of tri-ethylene melamine were evidenced in the dramatic fall in white blood cell count and decrease in percentage of mononuclear cells. However, the return to a normal blood picture was no indication that the effects of the drug had been extinguished.