Penicillins first tentative steps.
The story of the development of Penicillin is one of the most profound and interesting. It begins with a chance discovery by Sir Alexander Fleming and ends with the work of Norman Heatley and Dr A J Moyer to develop and purify it so that it is safe for human use. In between is the tireless work and development of the notable Howard Chain and Ernst Florey who were determined to find answers when Fleming had completely given up.
There was no time to conduct Paid Clinical Trials such as the ones that you can opt for at https://www.trials4us.co.uk/. The need to combat the streptococcus bacteria was of paramount importance. Fleming, having served in the First World War had seen too many men and women die from complications from minor wounds. The case of Albert Alexander was a prime example. He was a police officer and he had simply scraped himself on a rose thorn bush. Septicemia had set in and he was terminal.
With Penicillin in development it was showing positive signs in mice at combating the bacteria versus the mice that had not received any treatment. Heatley was worried about the large dose but the patient was fine as he had nothing to lose. Initially the drug had the bacteria on the run but tragically they could not produce enough and Alexander succumbed. However his sacrifice for the trail showed that it worked. The team then concentrated on saving sick children as the dosage needed was a lot smaller and within production limits.
