Mitral Valvotomy

STAPHYLOCOCCAL SEPTICAEMIA BDIIJSHRNL 339 cases.It is quite likely, of course, that patients may have been appropriately treated before blood cultures could become positive or the septicaemia become florid.But series which have been compiled on clinical data only may well be incomplete.Summary Forty-nine cases of staphylococcal septicaemia, which Occurred during a period of nine years in a 360-bed hospital, are described.Forty cases were fatal.Necropsy evidence must be sought when the incidence is being assessed.Septicaemia developed after hospital admission in 16 patients, only one of whom recovered.Surgery and steroid therapy were the two most important factors.Atteition is drawn to the frequency with which renal insufficiency may occur.A study of the mortality trends suggests that staphylococcal septicaemia, especially when contracted subsequent to hospital admission, has become or is becoming as lethal a hazard as it was prior to the advent of antibiotics.Some of this work was included in a thesis for the M.D. of the University of Edinburgh, and I thank the Dean cf the Faculty of Medicine for permission to publish.I