Antiseptic and aseptic prophylaxis for burns: use of silver nitrate and of isolators.

Local applications of neomycin, chlorhexidine, and polymyxin have been shown in controlled trials to protect burns against colonization by various pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus (Cason and Lowbury, 1960; Lowbury, Miller, Cason, and Jackson, 1962b) ; earlier studies had shown the effectiveness of polymyxin cream in prophylaxis against Ps. aeruginosa (Jackson, Lowbury, and Topley, 1951). Though clinically useful, these prophylactic effects were limited, especially in the more extensive burns, and the emergence of neomycin-resistant Staph. aureus reduced their value (Lowbury, Babb, Brown, and Collins, 1964). The search for more effective methods was therefore continued.