Abstract
Summary
1. The therapeutic effect of streptomycin was evaluated in mice infected with a pneumotropic pasteurella either by the respiratory or by the intracerebral route.
2. When treatment was started within 4 hours after infection intracerebrally mice could be saved by streptomycin injected subcutaneously. With a total dose of 0.3 g/kg streptomycin the main factor determining success of therapy was the time interval between infection and first administration of antibiotic.
3. With comparable dosage regimens larger amounts of streptomycin were necessary to cure the intracerebral than the respiratory infection.
4. When treatment of the pulmonary infection was delayed for 18 hours, until symptoms and lesions were present, marked differences appeared in the effectiveness of dosage schedules similar in their effects when treatment was started soon after infection.
5. The possible usefulness of “natural” type infections in chemotherapeutic experiments is discussed and compared to the “test-tube” type of experimental disease.
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