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Article: Penicillin is 65 years old!(Special Section: SMA Centennial)(Drug overview)
- Article from:
- Southern Medical Journal
- Article date:
- February 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Southern Medical Association. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The discovery of penicillin marked a turning point in history and dramatically changed the impact of medicine. It is hard to comprehend now the fear that arose from even a minor infection, as treatment often required the lancing of swollen glands and sometimes amputation, in an attempt to save the patient's life. Death from even minor infections was common. The advent of penicillin changed not only the course of medicine, but of society as well, as it permitted physicians to prescribe a medication that could save lives within a few days of its administration.
Although Sir Alexander Fleming is widely accepted as the person who discovered penicillin, it is only ...