The Discovery of Penicillin: How It Changed Medicine Forever
In 1928, one of the most important medical discoveries was made. It was a remarkable breakthrough that would be known as penicillin and it would change the face of medicine forever. In the century since, penicillin and its associated antibiotics have saved millions of lives and revolutionized the way we treat disease and infection around the world. In this article, we explore the discovery of penicillin and how it changed the medical landscape.
Penicillin: What Is It?
Penicillin is an antibiotic that is produced naturally by certain species of the genus Penicillium. It is a powerful broad-spectrum antibiotic that is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. Penicillin was first discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, a Scotish scientist who was working in a laboratory at St Mary’s Hospital in London. During his research, he noticed that a mould had formed on a dish of bacteria and that it had killed the bacteria. He named the substance penicillin, from the Latin word for mould, and developed it further.
The Potential of Penicillin: What Could It Do?
In 1945, Australian-born scientist Howard Florey, along with the help of Ernst Chain, successfully discovered how to extract pure penicillin from the mould, allowing the antibiotic to be mass-produced. When they tested its potential on humans, they found that penicillin could treat a plethora of illnesses, ranging from even life-threatening infections such as meningitis to minor ailments such as athlete’s foot. In addition to treating infections, the antibiotic also proved effective at treating other medical conditions such as sepsis, which could result from major injuries or surgery.
The Revolution of Antibiotics
Penicillin’s ability to treat a wide variety of illnesses and conditions revolutionized the medical world. Where once people suffered life-long illness, or death, with serious infections, now they could make a full recovery with the help of this potent antibiotic. Furthermore, the widespread use of antibiotics meant that previously dangerous medical procedures such as transplant surgery, or joint replacements, were now much more reliable and successful due to decreased risk of infection.
Diseases Prevented by the Discovery of Penicillin
The discovery of penicillin enabled us to fight and prevent a range of diseases. Some of the most notable diseases it was able to prevent include:
• Tuberculosis: Penicillin is effective at treating this life-threatening bacterial infection and has reduced mortality rates significantly since it was developed.
• Pneumonia: This bacterial infection of the lungs can cause severe symptoms, but when treated with penicillin can often resolve quickly.
• Blood poisoning: Also known as sepsis, this life-threatening condition can develop as a result of infection or post-surgery. When treated promptly with penicillin, mortality rates can be reduced.
• Syphilis: This sexually transmitted disease can cause severe symptoms, but penicillin can quickly stop the spread of the infection and reduce the risk of there being long-term complications.
• Diptheria: This bacterium can cause fatal complications, but penicillin can be used to treat it quickly and prevent it from progressing.
• Meningitis: This infection of the brain can be fatal, but prompt treatment with penicillin can reduce this risk dramatically.
Impact on the Modern World
The discovery of penicillin, and subsequent development of modern antibiotics, had a huge impact on the medical world and on the lives of millions of people all around the world. Its ability to effectively treat and prevent a range of serious infections has seen a drastic reduction in mortality rates from bacterial infections. Furthermore, it has allowed for the success of many medical procedures and innovations, such as joint replacements and organ transplants, and it has saved countless lives since it was first developed.
Side Effects and Safety
While the discovery of penicillin was a huge breakthrough for medicine, it does have some side effects. Allergic reactions are the most common, and can range from mild rashes to severe anaphylactic shock. However, it is important to note that the risk of experiencing a severe allergic reaction is very low, and in the case of suspected reactions, patients should be monitored closely. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but these can usually be managed easily with medication.
The discovery of penicillin in 1928 was a revolutionary breakthrough in medicine. By successfully extracting and mass-producing the powerful antibiotic, Alexander Fleming, Ernst Chain, and Howard Florey enabled us to effectively fight and prevent a range of bacterial infections, which led to a dramatic reduction in the mortality rate from these infections. Furthermore, the revolutionary antibiotic has allowed us to carry out a range of medical procedures and operations, saving millions of lives all around the world.
