Antimicrobial, antiviral and antiparasitic remedies

Remedies having antimicrobial action are divided into two groups. The first group includes drugs, which have no selective antimicrobial action. They eliminate the most microorganisms. They include antiseptics and remedies for disinfection.

Antiseptics are the drugs of external use, usually. They are applied on the covering tissues (skin, mucous). Some antiseptics are used to make an influence on the microorganisms, localizing in the gastrointestinal tract and urinary system. According to their concentration they may have bacteriostatic or bactericidal action.

Disinfection drugs are used for disinfection of medical equipment, apparatuses, rooms and patient’s excretions. They have immediate effect. They are used, as a rule, in bactericidal concentrations and applied to prevent infection spreading.

The ultimate board between the antiseptics and disinfecting agents is not a given thing, because many remedies used in certain amounts act as antiseptics and in greater amounts – as disinfecting agents.

The second group includes antimicrobial drugs of selective action, which belong to the chemotherapeutical drugs. The influence on the concrete kinds of microorganisms is typical for this group of remedies. The main characteristic of these is a great scope of therapeutical action. The last determines using the meaning of the diapason between the bacteriostatic concentrations and the concentrations , toxic for the microorganisms. The chemotherapeutical remedies are for treating and prophylaxes of infections and also for the sanitation of the carriers of infection.

Ех.11. Read the text and make a short written summary of it.

How to use the Ginseng Root

Ginseng is a perennial herbaceous plant. It grows in the eastern parts of our country. It was found, to contain substance of the glycoside series: saponin, panaquilene; in addition to these its roots contain other oils-panacene and also panaxic acid, ginsenin, a small amount of alkaloids of unknown composition, cane sugar, phytosterols, resins, ferments (amylase and phenolase the vitamins B1, and B 12.

Ginseng preparations have been shows experimentally to have a very low toxicity and posses a wide therapeutic activity. They excite the nervous system, particularly the cortex, acting upon the stimulating and inhibitory process, increase the reactive process of the organism, stimulate cardiac activity, increase blood pressure, reduce the Sugar content of the blood, excite the endocrine apparatus. Besides this render, a positive effect in case of inflammatory and wound processes.

Various publications come, in numerous indications of the use of ginseng in the treatment of various diseases. Yet, it should be noted that ginseng is not a specific remedy for any particular disease. One of the first indications for the administering ginseng as a tinic is hypotension, physical and mental fatigue, overstrain, neurasthenia and, recently endured exhausting disease. Ginseng is also used in the treatment of nervous and mental diseases. In these cases it completely removes general weakness, headache, high irritability, insomnia and poor appetite. Under the effect of ginseng, depression and headaches decrease and an increase in activity is observed.

The positive effect of ginseng was marked also in functional disturbances of the cardio-vascular system; the heart tones of the patient become clearer, the heart contractions-rhythmical, hypotensive symptoms disappear, the blood pressure rises, general condition improves and pains in the region of the heart disappear.

The positive effect of ginseng has been established in the treatment of vegetative dystonia, general neurosis will symptoms of progressive emaciation vasomotos lability. Thre are indications of the use of ginseng also in the treatment of diabetes, tuberculosis, malaria, Botlcin’s disease, in this cse a more rapid restoration of the function of the liver is obtained.

Ginseng is prescribed after consulting the physician and is administered orally in the form of an alcohol tincture. 15-25 drops 3 times a day, or in powder form by 0.25-0.3 gm.

Ex. 12. Read the text and answer the questions to it

Medford, Oregon. A drug used in Europe as an alternative to surgery for cataracts in the early stages has been approved for experimental use in the United States. European doctors and pharmacologists contend that it is safe and effective means of halting the growth of certain cataracts.

The drug, called bendazac, was patented in the late 1960’s by an Italian physician, Francesco Angelini. In Europe, it has been in general use for more than five years, but there is no anticataract drug approved for use in the United States.

Although cataracts, or clouding of the lenses of the eyes, can often be remedied by surgery, bendazac “is the real hope that there will be a medical solution to cataracts”, said Dr. John Retzlaff, an Oregon ophthalmologist who is one of five physicians conducting US research on the drug.

1. What is a cataract?

2. How is it usually remedied?

Ex. 13. Read and translate the text using a dictionary.

DEXONA INJECTION

Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate to a water soluble inorganic ester of dexamethansone.

PRESENTATION:

Each ml. of Dexona Injection 2 ml. Vial contains 4.4 mg of Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate U.S.P. (as the disodium salt) equivalent to 4 mg of Dexamethasone.

PHARMACOLOGY:

Dexamethasone is a synthetic adrenocortical steroid possessing basic glucocorticoid actions and effects. It is among the most active members of its class, being about 25 to 30 times as potent as hydrocortisone. At equivalent anti-inflammatory doses, dexamethasone almost completely lacks the sodium retaining property of hydrocortisone and closely related derivatives of hydrocortisone. Dexona produces rapid response when compared with less soluble preparations. Plasma steroid levels increase noticeably within five minutes after intramuscular or intravenous injection. Dexona is primary used for its potent anti-inflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems. In addition it modifies body’s immune response to diverse stimuli.