“…Our results suggest that H. influenzae and pneumococci are frequently aetiological factors in exacerbations. Support for this view can be found in some reports of the efficacy of certain antibiotics in rcducing both the purulence of the sputum and the isolation of these organisms in acute exacerbations-foc example, Citron et al (1968)-particularly when treatment is started early in the exacerbation (Malone et al, 1968). Antibiotic treatment, however, has not been found consistently effective (Stuart-Harris, 1968).…”