The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1946-02-18
Your Health
Penicillin May
Now be Taken by
Mouth
Mouth

WHEN penicillin was first dis
covered and used in the treatment
Of disease, 1t was given by injec-
tion because when taken by mouth
It was destroyed in the stomach.
More recently, a number Of peni-
cillin preparations have been made
available which can be taken by
mouth, and which seem to be quite
effective when administered in this
way.
Unfortunately, as with all new
so-ealled wonder" drugs, many
people think that they can take
these penicillin pills for curing
practically all ailments. OF course,
medical men know that penicillin
is not effective against all diseases,
although II is most useful in treat
ing many infections, among them
boils and carbuneles, meningitis,
pneumonia, pus in the chest cavity,
infected burns, infections Of the
bones and the heart.
Trench Mouth
Il 10 useful in trench mouth,
anthrax, actinomyeosis, and 9ven
diphtheria, infections Of the throat,
and infections which develop after
teeth are extracted.
But the taking Of penicillin when
1t is not indicated is in q GER
tain way dangerous. By doing so a
person may breed within himself
strains Of germs which become re-
sistant TO penicillin. Furthermore,
these germs may be passed on to
other persons. Then, when infec-
ton as a result of these germs oc-
ours, the penicillin is tried and it
does not work.
Proper Amount
When the doctor finds that peni-
eillin Is necessary and the proper
amount is given, the doctor can as
sure himself that the germs which
are causing the infection are ac-
tually gotten rid of or rendered
harmless. But when a person tries
to carry out this treatment himself,
he cannot be sure that the infec-
ton is really eliminated and he not
only may infect others, but his own
condition may gradually become
worse.
The amount Of penicillin 10 be
used will depend on the type Of in
lection present as well as on its
severity. Recent studies by Doctors
Alden K. Boor and C. Phillip Mil
Ter Of the University Of Chicago
have shown that penicillin not only
has the power to stop the growth
Of disease germs and even kill them
but 1t also has an antitoxic effect.
That is, It serves to neutralize or
get rid Of the toxins or poisons de-
veloped by germs.
Saved From Death
These physicians found that, by
giving penicillin, animals could be
saved from death that usually fol-
lows the injection Of certain pois-
ons produced by the germs which
cause meningitis. The penicillin
will not get rid Of the meningococ-
Gus poison when the penicillin il
mixed with the poison but in some
way or another within the body
the penicillin does have the effect
Of neutralizing the action Of the
toxins.
OF course, a great deal further
study will be needed to determine
exactly what this newly discovered
effect Of penicillin Is and how II
may be utilized to the fullest.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
o. H.: Occasionally have
cramps in my legs. Please tell me
what causes this.
Answer: When cramps IN the
legs occur at night, they are due
to fatigue or to the fact that the
legs are cold. Wearing extra socks
and using extra covers sometimes
are helpful.
What you should do Is to I'm
prove your circulation by getting
outdoor exercise, plenty Of rest
and sleep and eating a well-bal-
anced diet, containing an abund-
ance Of vegetables, fruits, whole
grain cereals, milk and butter,
with meat and eggs in moderate
amounts. Also, drink plenty Of
water.