Superficial sepsis: the antibiotic of choice for blind treatment.

When all cases of superficial sepsis were considered together Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently encountered organism. Various anatomical sites were considered separately and it was found that the axilla and breast were particularly prone to infection by Staph. aureus. The incidence of infection by coliform bacili in Bartholin's and anorectal abscesses was significantly higher than in abscesses elsewhere. The importance of these observations in relation to antibiotic therapy is discussed.