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"White powder" that WW2 "medics" had

  • 04-04-2006 3:22am
    #1
    the_syco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,316 ✭✭✭✭


    Whilst watching "Band of Brothers", and other WW2 movies, I've noticed that when someone gets shot, one of the 1st things done is put some "white powder" which the World War 2 "medics" had, onto the wound.

    My questions: what is the white powder, what is its purpose, and finally, is it used any longer, and if not, why not?


Comments

  • #2
    DrIndy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,461 ✭✭✭DrIndy


    It was sulfa or sulphonamide powder, the first antibiotic before penicillin. It was discovered that a dye (think it was purple) had antibacterial properties.

    It was relatively good, but unlike modern antibiotics, did not kill bacteria, but simply stopped them from growing and relied on the immune system to clear the bugs itself.

    It is still occasionally used, but not as a dusting powder.


  • #3
    nitroboy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 63 ✭✭nitroboy


    Hi, we did a bit about that drug in college, as DrIndy said it prevents the bacteria from growing. It does this by interrupting the pathway bacteria uses to make folate, used in DNA.(it competes with p-amino-benzoic acid for an enzymes active site) It does'nt affect humans as we get our folate from food. I think it is also known as para-amino-sulphanilimide!!


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