An Evaluation of the Clinical Toxicity of Sulfanilamide and Sulfapyridine

The enthusiasm which attended the successful use of sulfanilamide in a remarkably wide range of infections has now been transferred to sulfapyridine. The undoubted ability of this drug to combat pneumococcic infections has naturally led to its widespread adoption in the treatment of pneumonia; but, because it is apparently as potent as sulfanilamide in other types of infection, there is a growing tendency to employ the new in place of the old and proved compound. Before this trend becomes too pronounced it seems timely to inquire into the relative toxicity of the two drugs. This is the more necessary when it is recalled that clinicians have not yet reached agreement as to the blood concentrations of sulfapyridine that are adequate to control pneumonia of pneumococcic origin. Until matters of such fundamental importance are settled, expediency should be tempered by caution. In the present communication an attempt has been made to