The story of penicillin’s first patient is a popular one, but the origins of his infection seem to be hidden in propaganda. Hailing from Oxford, police officer Albert Alexander was dying from sepsis when he was treated with penicillin; the infection was said to arise from a rosebush’s thorn. However, his family maintains that his infected wound was the result of shrapnel from a German bomb raid on the city. It’s speculated that the rosebush story was fabricated to minimise the effects of bombings and keep morale high. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
