Penicillin: Miscellaneous Pharmacological Results. *

Abstract

Summary

In spite of the lethal effect which penicillin exerts on bacteria, power to alter or poison normal physiological processes significantly has not been demonstrated. It has no demonstrable effects on contraction of the isolated aorta or pregnant uterus, or on the vomiting reflex of pigeons; it produces no serious meningeal irritation; and, in small doses, it produces no chronic tissue changes in rats. Although the penicillin used inhibited the liberation of oxygen from hydrogen peroxide by catalysis, the inhibition persisted after inactivation of the penicillin and, therefore, may be due to some other substance in the impure products. Monoethylether of diethylene glycol did not promote its percutaneous absorption.