Penicillin

From Object Wiki

Samples of penicillin

Manufacturer	(Unknown)
Production years	(unknown)
Production location	(unknown)

Wooden case containing 32 tubes of Burcillin by Burroughs Wellcome and Co.

Source: Wellcome Trust. Inv. No: A661228

Bottle of Avlon buffered crystalline penicillin G, made by ICI Ltd, 1958.

Source: ICI Ltd (Pharmaceuticals Division). Inv. No: 1976-630 Pt1

Bottle with spray attachment, of compound Flavazole and penicillin powder, by Boots Pure Drug Co., 1948-1952.

Source: n/a. Inv. No: 1981-1717/53

Ten bottles for penicillin, empty, in original carton, by Distillers Co., Speke, British, 1947.

Source: n/a. Inv. No: 1983-811

1 How it works
2 Memories
3 In the Science Museum
4 Images

[edit] How it works

Penicillin is a product of a mold. In 1928 it was discovered that this substance had could kill bacteria. It interferes with the formation of cell walls when they reproduce. Surprisingly there was not race to develop ways to mass produce this wonder drug. 18 years later the laboratory produced curiosity was taken to America and a search was begun for effective means of mass production. There was no race because all the labs were under the management of the Committee of Medical Research of the OSRD.

[edit] Memories

Do you remember taking Penicillin? Add your memories.

I recall having Penicillin In ointment form about 1947. A school dance was imminent and I had a cold sore, looked offensive. I visited dear Dr Wilson in Feltham and he took pity; from his desk drawer he took a small box of Magic and gave me a portion - making the dance a success. T J Wison I think, nice man who did not charge the poor when he visited them. Canadian born, he showed me black specs in his eyes, the result of a gunpowder experiment gone wrong. He had to sit opposite an eye surgeon who told him where to look as he extracted specks from his line of vision, darting in with a toothpick like device. It worked.

— A C Boyd-Barton MIET