The Discovery of PenicillinANGELA E. SPROATINTEGRATED NATURAL SCIENCES APPLICATIONS: TASK 1WESTERN GOVERNOR’S UNIVERSITY

The Discovery of Penicillin: How Our Understanding of Antibiotics Have Changed

Sir Alexander Fleming was credited for the discovery of Penicillin in 1928.

Example 1Penicillin: Before Antibiotics

Before 1928, fatal infections were part of everyone’s life. Infections routinely killed millions of people throughout the world. A simple cut could become a fatal injury due to bacterial infections that could not be treated. In 1918-1919, the Spanish Flu epidemic, actually a combination of viral and bacterial disease killed millions around the world. More died from Spanish Flu than were killed in World War 1.

In early history, plants, moldy bread and warm soil wereoften used to treat wounds.

Patients were given beer soup, snake skins, frog bile and sour milk as a protection against infections

Sweetmeat was used as a desiccant and antibacterial

Example 2 : Before Antibiotics

Ninety percent of children that contacted bacterial meningitis died Strep throat was considered a fatal disease and was responsible for the

death of George Washington Patients that had whooping cough, pneumonia or tuberculosis increased

their chances of dying from bacterial infection

Example 3: The Discovery of Penicillin

Sir Alexander Fleming was considered a careless worker while in the lab At the time of the discovery, Fleming was experimenting on the

influenza virus. While Fleming was on vacation, a mold developed on a contaminated

culture plate. After examining the plate, Fleming noticed the mold prevented the

growth of staphylococci bacteria. The mold was described as “ a fluffy white mass which rapidly

increased in size and after a few days sporulates”, and changed from green to yellow.

Example 4: The Early Years

In the experimental stages, penicillin had no effect on gram negative bacteria, but had an effect on gram positive bacteria such as streptococcus.

In 1942, the first patient was treated successfully for streptococcal septicemia.

Penicillin demands were high, but supplies were limited. During the first early months of 1943, there were only 400 million units

of penicillin available.

Part 3 Historical Event:

Penicillin helped the Allies win World War 2 by saving lives of wounded soldiers

This antibiotic was effective against gangrene, a common cause of death on the battlefield

Penicillin treatment prevented septicemia (blood poisoning) from wounds received

It also caused a decrease in emergency amputations after injury

Social and Historical Context

Calvin Coolidge was president of the United States (1923-1929) when penicillin was discovered

Penicillin was not supported by the public during its early years. It took several years before it was considered “safe”. Mass production began in 1944 after scientists accepted its usefulness.

Impact of Historical Event

Between 1944 and early 1970s, life expectancy jumped by eight years. In 1969, US Surgeon General William Stewart was quoted, “ close the

books on infectious diseases.” He was appointed tenth Surgeon

General of the United Statesfrom 1965 to 1969

Supporting Example 1

Due to the discovery of penicillin, this antibiotic has been regarded as one of the greatest achievements in medicine.

Penicillin has reduced the number deaths from infections caused by accidental injury or exposure to pathogenic bacteria

It also reduced the number of post-surgical infections and helped lead to the development of organ transplants and even open heart surgery

Supporting Example 2

Penicillin has led to the discovery of other antibiotics Tetracyclines Sulfa Drugs Erythromycin Cephalosporins Penicillin mold with

dead zone around the edge of plate.

Supporting Example 3Antibiotic Resistance

By the 1950s, the emergence of resistance came on the scene. At the end of the 1960s, no more antibiotics were not being developed. Most work was done on reducing toxicity and antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when antibiotics lose their ability to control

or kill bacterial. Antibiotic resistance can occur with or without human control.

Bacteria can produce and use antibiotics against other bacteria. Patients can overuse/abuse antibiotics

The Discovery of Penicillin

"One sometimes finds what one is not looking for"

(Sir Alexander Fleming)

Works Cited