Wider Distribution of Penicillin
Even though Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin during research. It was two scientists named Howard Florey and Ernest Chain (who was a refugee from nazi Germany) That developed Penicillin further to distribute it as a drug. Penicillin was very limited at first, but by the 1940's it was in the process of being mass produced by the American drugs industry. It was very commonly used to treat bacterial infections such as staphylococci and streptococci. It became in clinical use in 1946.
How They Developed it Further
Following up Alexander Fleming's discovery of Penicillin, were two scientists. Ernst B. Chain (1906-1979) and Howard Florey (1898-1968). In 1945 they shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology and medicine with Fleming. In 1940 two mice were extracted from a laboratory and injected with Penicillin. The injection contained fear higher doses than those from Fleming's experiment. But the mice remained unharmed. On May 25th mice were injected with a certain bacteria which causes fever in new mothers and then injected with controlled doses of Penicillin. The mice that were injected with Penicillin were alive sixteen and a half hour after taking the drug but the mice that didn't take the drug were dead. In 1941 Howard Florey was ready to test Penicillin on humans. This was a big step in the process of developing Penicillin as a drug. Penicillin was successful after being tested on humans. The importance of producing Penicillin became a very large importance. Because Penicillium needs air to grow it was first surface-cultured in normal laboratory flasks. Soon all materials that could be used as a flask were being used including hospital bedpans and many made to order ceramic pots. This mass production rapidly outgrew the space assigned to the Dunn labs and other facilities were used. Many personnel had to be hired including six Penicillin Girls" who would handle the culture pots in the cold room of the extraction plant. Ernst suggested that they patent Penicillin as soon as possible. Florey quickly turned down the idea saying he refused to enter such commercial agreement
Reform
The discovery of Penicillin was surely a revolt in time. If it weren't for Penicillin we wouldn't have won the second world war many people say. Also many living now wouldn't be living if it weren't for Penicillin. Scientists have still been researching Penicillin today to find new and better ideas for change the health branch of science for the better. It has become a big part of everyday life. Before Penicillin every infection was capable of becoming fatal. Now we can treat it in the blink of an eye.
Reaction
The most common reaction to Penicillin is astonished and thankful. "Prior to Penicillin and medical research, death was an everyday occurrence". Is a quote from Katherine Dunn. People today don't necessarily have a reaction because we take for granted all the advanced medicine we have today. People were amazed when it was first distributed. They had never seen something that would cure infections that they would worry about like we worry about cancer today. A Nobel Prize was given out to Howard Florey and Alexander Fleming which proves what a positive reaction it had on the world and society today. Penicillin is that base to most immunology research today. Which means it was a great influence on modern society. After creating this website my reaction to Penicillin was amazed at how it is such a great anti-biotic, yet it was accidentally discovered. I'm also thankful that we have Penicillin.