Penicillin

“Penicillin had a dramatic effect on infection and mortality resulting from bacterial infections, such as staphylococcal and puerperal sepsis, pneumococcal pneumonia, otitis media and bacterial meningitis. It also had a big impact on minor diseases, such as impetigo, which as a result is rarely seen nowadays. . . . Just as importantly, the advent of penicillin allowed for major advances to be made in surgery, allowing for organ transplantation, cardiac surgery and the efficient management of severe burns” (Wainwright, 87). When penicillin first became available for civilian use, “It was used for pneumonia, hemolytic streptococcal infections, and for staphylococcal infections. By late 1943, it was in general civilian use: “It was such a thrill to be able to save the life of someone with meningitis or bacterial endocarditis and to bring syphilis to a half in a few days” (Beeson, 171).