IN THE following pages we report 2 severe cases of pyogenic dermatitis. The first case was one of a severe pyoderma of both hands, which was treated by the oral administration of penicillin following two relapses after sulfadiazine therapy. The second case was one of extensive pustular dermatitis, involving the hands, arm and legs. This case was complicated by a hemolytic staphylococcic septicemia.
REVIEW OF EXPERIMENTAL WORK
The administration of penicillin by mouth has been ineffective due to the destruction of the antibiotic substance by the action of hydrochloric acid. This observation was made first by Abraham and Florey and their associates1 and was subsequently verified by other investigators.2 This was also proved clinically by Rammelkamp and Helm,3 who administered penicillin by mouth to 2 patients with pernicious anemia and achlorhydria. Therapeutic blood levels were obtained in these patients. More recent efforts4 have