Modern use of urinary antiseptics.

It is not necessary to resort to complete study in most cases of urinary tract infection. However, if the lesion is chronic or recurrent, associated with mixed organisms, complicated by lower tract involvement, accompanied by low total renal function, with or without abnormalities in a kidney-ureter-bladder x-ray film or in an intravenous urogram, then complete retrograde study should be carried out.A Gram stain will substitute for culture in most simple urinary tract infections and a trial of the agent of choice will act as a test of bacterial sensitivity. If the infection persists, however, more adequate bacteriologic studies are required. FOR GOOD CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC PRACTICE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO: (1) Withhold the drug until it has been determined that obstruction, stone or other such lesion is not present; (2) watch for side effects and toxicity; and (3) give the best drug in large enough dosage for an adequate period of time.