In a previous paper (Gillespie et al., 1958) we showed that infants who became heavily colonized by Staphylococcus aureus within a day or two of birth subsequently developed septic lesions of the skin more often than other infants. This tendency was particularly pronounced with staphylococci of phage patterns 52A/79 and 80, which were the most virulent strains prevalent in the hospital. The application to the umbilical area of a dusting powder containing hexachlorophane greatly reduced the staphylococcal colonization of the umbilicus and groin, and reduced the colonization of the perineum and nose to a smaller extent.We report here some further results obtained in the same investigation. The clinical and bacteriological effects of applying hexachlorophane powder from earlier in life and to a wider area of skin were studied. Changes in nursery routine which reduced the contacts between infants and nurses were investigated.The basic nursery techniques were described in our previous paper. Some changes then introduced were continued: namely, the disinfection of blankets and garments; the use of hexachlorophane soap for hand-washing; and the sealing, with "octaflex," of umbilical-cord stumps, which were then left uncovered. Chlorhexidine (" hibitane ") hand-cream was withdrawn, however, so as to simplify the present trial.

No abstract