BACTERIAL FLORA OF THE NORMAL SKIN

Abstract

The relative effectiveness of various antiseptics commonly used in the treatment of superficial pyogenic infections of the skin is a subject of considerable conjecture and difference of opinion among clinicians. In another study we have attempted to determine whether or not there is any regular correlation between the bactericidal or bacteriostatic effects of various antiseptics in vitro and their clinical effects on the skin of the patient with impetigo, ecthyma, intertrigo, folliculitis and similar dermatoses in which pyococci play a role.¹ We were unable to demonstrate that in vitro studies are of great value in predicting the bactericidal action of an antiseptic on the skin. The method devised by Price² offers a means of determining accurately the effect of various antiseptics in reducing the bacterial flora of the skin, and, to our knowledge, it has not previously been used in studying the antiseptic effects of ointments. Briefly, this