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A new drug metabolite was isolated as an aglycon from the urine of men who ingested a single dose of 14C-labeled oxolinic acid. The aglycon responded to phenol tests and yielded a mass spectrum which indicated a molecular weight of 263, two higher than the parent drug. From ultraviolet, infrared and mass spectral data on the new compound and related synthetic compounds, it was concluded to be either 1-ethyl-1,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-4-oxo-3-quinoline carboxylic acid or the corresponding 6-methoxy-7-hydroxy isomer. The latter structure was favored because the literature indicates preferential methylation of the more nucleophilic hydroxy of ring-substituted catechols. Authentic 1-ethyl-1,4-dihydro-6-methoxy-7-hydroxy—4-oxo-3-quinoline carboxylic acid was synthesized and found to be identical with the isolated aglycon.

Hetacillin breaks down in aqueous solution to give ampicillin and acetone, both of which products have been identified chemically. The rate of breakdown is maximal between pH values 5 and 8, and is considerably slower under more acid conditions. The finding that hetacillin does not react with hydroxylamine at pH 7, taken in conjunction with other data presented, suggests that the antimicrobial activity of hetacillin may be low or even neglibible, and that it must be converted to ampicillin to show significant biological activity. In a small double cross-over trial, using 250 mg of hetacillin and ampicillin, no significant differences were observed either in peak blood levels or in the time for which useful levels were maintained. It is concluded that, while hetacillin is likely to be as effective an antibiotic as ampicillin, it is unlikely to be more effective, and thus that it does not represent a significant therapeutic advance.

The antibacterially active compound “madronin” from the leaves of Pacific Madrona tree has been tentatively identified as a mixture of gallotannin and catechol tannin in addition to varying amounts of their degradation products, gallic acid, m‐digallic acid, possibly trigallic acid, catechol, phloroglucinol, and glucose. Experimental evidence includes results of qualitative physical and chemical analyses, light absorption, paper chromatography, and microbiological fermentation tests. A simple modified laboratory extraction and purification procedure for the active principle is given. The previous observations made on madronin are explained according to its newly determined composition. Since tannin has been shown to be a rather potent antibacterial substance for many micro‐organisms, its possible influence upon the various surveys for antibacterial agents in higher plants should be considered.

PHOTODERMATITIS caused by the use of soap containing the fluorescent germicide 3,5,3′,4′-tetraehlorosalicylanilide (T4CS) has been described by Calnan1, Wilkinson2 and von Frenk3.