Abstract

The outline drawn here of combined antibiotic action is, of necessity, tentative and incomplete. Only a framework of the complex structure is discernible at this time. Far too few facts are available to guide the physician, anxious to use drug combinations quickly and to best advantage. We might agree with the warning expressed about another "new" remedy almost 60 years ago (63): "We are not unaware of how much caution is necessary in judging a new remedy. We must beware of hasty conclusions. We have exposed the facts and doctors may be anxious to use this serum. This has not yet reached the point of efficiency we hope for. At any rate let doctors not forget the necessity of a bacteriological diagnosis without which they expose themselves to serious mistakes."The author of this warning statement was concerned with anti-streptococcus serum, a remedy now long forgotten. His words of caution are a timely warning in the field of combined antibiotic therapy.