Economy in the Use of Drugs

Abstract

THE first edition of the Medical Research Council's War Memorandum No. 3, entitled "Economy in the Use of Drugs in War-time", was issued in March 1941. It represented the views of the Council's Therapeutic Requirements Committee and a first Supplement to it was issued in November 1941. A second revised edition is now issued (H.M. Stationery Office, 1944. 3d.). It includes an appendix on economy in the use of bactericides and disinfectants, large quantities of which are, the appendix says, used in hospitals and private practice under conditions in which they are not likely to be effective. Sterilization by heat is always preferable to the use of disinfectants and should be used if possible. Mercurial disinfectants have to be imported, and mercury is required for munitions, so that the indigenous coal-tar disinfectants should be used as much as possible. The same Council's War Memorandum No. 6 on "Prevention of 'Hospital Infection' of Wounds" contains recommendations for the use of disinfectants of the phenolic type.