PENICILLIN THERAPY OF SCARLET FEVER

Abstract

In a previous publication¹ we reported on the efficacy of intramuscular penicillin X in the treatment of 34 cases of scarlet fever. Since that time we have continued to treat this streptococcic infection with other types of penicillin and now wish to report similarly good results in the treatment of 86 patients, representing 52 patients in addition to the 34 in the original group. PLAN OF STUDY All the patients studied were on the isolation service of the Gallinger Municipal Hospital. Three criteria were established for the inclusion of a patient in this series: (1) temperature of 102 F. or over; (2) evidence of pronounced toxicity regardless of the height of the temperature, or (3) the presence of a pyogenic complication. The ages of the patients ranged from 1 to 41 years, although 79 were less than 12 years of age. There were an equal number of males and