1900+-+2000+-+20th+Century+-+Penicillin

1900 - 2000 - 20th Century - Penicillin
At the start of the 20th century, many people still died from infectious diseases that today are easily cured. It was a discovery by Alexander Flemming in 1928 that would lead to the range of modern antibiotics that we know today.

10 facts
1. Flemming noticed that the growth of bacteria had been inhibited on a petri dish that had been accidentally contaminated with the mould //Penicillium Notatum//.

2. Fleming was trying to find ways of killing the bacteria that caused cuts and wounds to become infected and turn septic. This was a serious condition and could cause death if the infection spread to the blood.

3. Fleming's discovery was not fully exploited until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.

4. The production of Penicillin became a wartime priority and was used to save the lives of wounded soldiers.

5. Penicillin is a chemical produced in common molds which has potent antibacterial properties.

6. Penicillin was used to treat infections suffered by wounded and ill soldiers during World War II.

7. Penicillin prevented thousands of wartime deaths from gas gangrene and other infections.

8. In the mid-1940s English researcher Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin used X-ray and an early computer to determine the chemical structure of penicillin.

9. Also known as the "wonder drug."

10. Where did the mold come from? Most likely, the mold came from La Touche's room downstairs, a mold expert.

**Links to information about penicillin**
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**Society impact**

 * Positive effect on society, people now lived longer and healthier lives.
 * The role science played during this time was a major part because it was more about medicane and not technology and it made a huge impact on the society.

**Major medical advancements**

 * cardiovascular research
 * First kidney dialysis machine
 * First artificial hip replacement
 * First permanent artificial heart implant
 * Soft contact lens