ORALLY ADMINISTERED PENICILLIN IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC FEVER

This study was partially successful in that of a total of 20 cases, hemolytic streptococci were eliminated permanently from the throat cultures in 17, and only one of the three strains which could not be completely eradicated belonged to serologic group A.

Abstract

In a previously reported study conducted from November 1945 to June 1946 on the wards of the House of the Good Samaritan penicillin was administered intramuscularly to all patients with rheumatic fever' found to have throat cultures which were positive for the hemolytic streptococcus.1This study, which was made with a view to reducing the spread of hemolytic streptococci from one patient to another, was partially successful in that of a total of 20 cases, hemolytic streptococci were eliminated permanently from the throat cultures in 17. Furthermore, only one of the three strains which could not be completely eradicated belonged to serologic group A. The studies which are the basis of the present report were a continuation and extension of the previous studies and were carried out from July 1946 through June 1947. Our objectives were as follows: (1) to determine whether orally as well as intramuscularly administered penicillin