It has been shown previously that suppression of clinical pyogenic infection in infants as well as a reduction of the resident skin flora follows the application of hexachlorophane. In this study, the skin flora of 55 newborn babies was examined in 6 sites before and after washing the skin with soap and water and with single and repeated applications of hexachlorophane respectively. Marked suppression of the resident skin flora (diphtheroids and Staphylococcus albus) and of Stuph. aureus followed the use of both single and daily applications of hexachlorophane, the effect being more marked and prolonged with the repeated use of hexachlorophane. No significant effect on streptococci and E. coli was seen but an increase of proteus followed the use of hexachlorophane. No irritation of the skin or other side effects attributable to hexachlorophane were observed. THIS paper reports a study of the hacterial flora of 55 newborn babies, following single and repeated washing of the akin with hexaohloropluuu^. This work was an extension of a previous investigation by Sarkany and (Jaylarde (Ift67b) in which the effect of hexachloropbane on the resident Hora of normal skin in S2 babies was compared witii that produced by washing with soaj) and water. It was then found that hexachlorophane decreased the number of non-pathogenic stapbylococci and dipbtheroids on the skin surface. METHODSThe 55 newborn babies in the study woro divided into 3 groups: those washed daily with soap and water {17 babies), those washed with a single application of hexaehlorophane and subsequently with soap and water for 5 days (21) and those washed daily for fi days with hexachlorophanc (17). Samples wens takon from H sites: tho nasal vestibule, the vertex of the head, one cheek, tlie dorsum of one hand, an axilla and the periumbilical area. The first sample was taken in all newborn immediately after birth, before the infant was washed. Subsequent s}xieimens were obtained at intervals of 24 hr. after the first sample. The samples from the nasal vestibule were studied for qualitative composition of the bacterial flora, but no quantitative analysis of organisms from this site was carried out in coutrast to the 5 other sites.A contact ])late method ])revinusly described (Sarkany and Gaylardc, 1967a) was used for sani])ling the skin bacteria. This consisted of a plastic cup made from the cap of 10 ml. plaiu blood-tubes (Stayncs) which give a standard sampling area of 1-76 cm.-The plates containing horse-blood agar were incubated at 87°C. for 24 hr. No anaerobic methods were used.The numbers of colonies of various types were counted with the naked eye and with tiie help of the low pow er of a plate microscope. Each colony on primary c^dturc was Accepted for publication July 22nd, 1969.
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