Impact of Penicillin on Medicine

The discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Alexander Fleming revolutionized medicine by introducing the first true antibiotic. Penicillin was initially used to treat bacterial infections, which had significantly high mortality rates before its introduction. During World War II, its widespread use among soldiers transformed battlefield medicine, leading to improved survival rates from infections. Researchers expanded on Fleming's work, ultimately leading to the development of various penicillin derivatives to combat multiple strains of bacteria.

Following the widespread use of penicillin, the medical field experienced a shift in how it approached infections, emphasizing the role of antibiotics in treatment protocols. However, by the late 20th century, problems of antibiotic resistance began to emerge, raising concerns about over-prescription and the future effectiveness of antibiotics.