The Lewis A. Conner Lecture of the American Heart Association

Some considerations concerning the fundamental pathology of bacterial endocarditis which have a bearing on treatment are discussed. In using antibiotics the importance of time-dose relationships is emphasized. It is pointed out that tests for strain sensitivity give a useful clue to the total daily dosage but that regardless of this, treatment must be carried out over a period of at least a month in order to achieve permanent bacteriologic cures. The difficulties and complications of treatment are discussed. Special methods for the treatment of highly resistant strains and the results with some of the newer antibiotics are outlined.