Three Sick Babies Summary and Analysis

Premature babies are highly at risk for any number of complications. In July, 1965, one such infant at Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh was severely ill, showing signs of septicemia and being treated with antibiotics. Blood, mucous and stool samples had been sent to the lab for analysis. By nightfall, the baby was dead. The following day, a second baby was ill in a similar manner. Lab results on the dead baby indicated, as suspected, septicemia, a general term for some twenty-five specific bacterial infections. Further testing would ultimately identify the specific germ - pseudomonas, a virulent, antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A third baby then became ill and died as well.

Dr. Taylor, assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, was the doctor in charge of the nursery and began to suspect no coincidence in these illnesses. His...