TREATMENT OF BACILLARY DYNSENTERY.

Treatment and prophylaxis of Flexner dysentery is very difficult among the normal population, but is even more difficult among the institutionalized and severely mentally retarded. The use of antibiotics and other drugs in such an outbreak allows time for the correction of existing defects in sanitation and isolation procedures.Chloramphenicol was a very useful drug in treatment and prophylaxis of Flexner dysentery and helped not only in the therapy of acute cases but also in the eradication of the carrier state. In the author's opinion, four days of concentrated therapy with chloramphenicol is superior to a seven- to eight-day therapeutic regimen.Proper and early isolation of cases and prophylaxis of the involved community are of paramount importance.It should be remembered that after prolonged use of a drug, resistant strains may develop, even when sensitivity has been demonstrated in vitro.