FACTORS INFLUENCING THE FATALITY RATE OF PNEUMOCOCCIC PNEUMONIA TREATED WITH SULFONAMIDE COMPOUNDS

Abstract

Observations were made on the influence of certain factors on the fatality rate (10%) of 800 pneumococcic pneumonia patients treated with sulfapyridine or sulfathiazole. Age of the patient, time when treatment was started, type of pneumococcic pneumonia, bacteriemia, complications of pneumonia, and associated conditions all influence the prognosis of the disease. In addition, the effect of the widespread use of these drugs, especially in the home, is discussed as to the future mortality rate in hospital treated cases. Further experience with the use of the sulfonamides and type specific sera will possibly decrease the present mortality rate, but the early treatment of pneumonia will probably do more than any single factor in the control of the disease. This is only possible through widespread lay education.