OBSERVATIONS ON THE TOPICAL USE OF SULFONAMIDE DERIVATIVES

The ability of the sulfonamide derivatives to prevent infections in wounds when applied locally has now become well established. The fact has been repeatedly demonstrated in experimental, operative and traumatic lesions and has been fully reported.¹ It is possible by means of such topical application to create not only a high concentration of the drug in the tissue fluids surrounding the lesion but to maintain a degree of hemoconcentration varying from 3 to 4 mg. per hundred cubic centimeters in twenty-four hours to a residual trace a week later following the use of 10 to 15 Gm. in large wounds. While a hemoconcentration at this level is hardly sufficient to combat an established septicemia of any real intensity, it is apparently high enough to prevent its development from a properly treated contaminated wound. The subject is now sufficiently advanced that generalizations on end results in terms of gross infection