ALTERATIONS IN THE MOUSE CECUM AND ITS FLORA PRODUCED BY ANTIBACTERIAL DRUGS

Abstract

Addition of penicillin, Terramycin, or kanamycin to the drinking water of adult mice rapidly induced in them an enlargement of the cecum. In all animals, this occurred within 12 hr after the beginning of drug administration—the effect being most pronounced with penicillin. The cecums remained enlarged and generally continued to increase in size as long as the antibacterial drugs were administered.