In the prophylaxis and treatment of infections due to streptococcus pyogenes such as acute tonsillitis, acute otitis media, erysipelas and puerperal fever, penicillin is preferable to sulphadimidine because its bactericidal action more rapidly eliminates the organism and reduces the risk of the later development of rheumatic fever or acute nephritis. Recurrences of rheumatic fever can best be prevented by the oral administration of phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) in a dose of 250 mg. daily.
