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Two round dishes with a white bacterial fuzz and clear circular patches around white circles where antibiotics have been placed.
Petri dishes with bacteria that respond to antibiotics (L) and have developed resistance (R). (Image: Dr. Graham Beards).

Alexander Fleming, creator of penicillin, warns against overuse.

1945

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EPD
Petri dishes with bacteria that respond to antibiotics (L) and have developed resistance (R). (Image: Dr. Graham Beards).

Fleming states that: "The time may come when penicillin can be bought by anyone in a shop." He goes on to explain that bacteria can grow resistant to antibiotics, which can cause a decline in the effectiveness of this new medicine. He calls for caution against overuse, while also warning against underuse. Instead, he recommends a balanced approach to provide the broadest care without diminishing penicillin's effectiveness.