Textbook of Medicine

THE use of the drugs known as "sulphonamides for the prevention and treatment of wound sepsis" is a subject of obvious importance at the present time, and much attention has recently been directed to the employment of sulphonamides by topical application for this purpose. This interest is reflected in the many enquiries received by the Medical Department of Messrs. May & Baker Ltd. of Dagenham, for information on the subject. The sudden interest in the topical application of sulphonamides to wounds is in surprising contrast to the time-lag which occurred between research on the use of sulphonamides in certain other fields and their general adoption for the purpose. There appears to exist some confusion concerning the rational application of sulphonamide prophylaxis and therapy to wounds. Messrs. May & Baker have prepared a memorandum, in which an attempt has been made to collate and review literature on the subject and, in summarising such data as are now available, to present a critical review of the existing position. This publication differs from ordinary publicity pamphlets in that it describes Inot a particular product but certain therapeutic procedures. The memorandum does not seek to have any advertising value, but it is hoped that it will prove of use and interest to those in clinical practice who desire in compact form a statement of the facts which are known and the theories which have been advanced concerning the implantation of sulphonamide dlrugs into wounds. Copies are available to any member of the medical profession on request to Messrs. May & Baker Ltd., Dazenham.