[Study of combined injuries (23rd communication) (author's transl)]

NMRI-mice which were whole-body irradiated, received two or three days later open skin wounds. While irradiation or wounding alone caused a mortality of 10 to 20% and 0% respectively, a combination of injuries caused 80 to 100% mortality. With regard to the as yet unexplained pathogenesis of this clinical condition, bacteriological examination of the skin-wound was undertaken. Staphylococci, lactobacilli and gramnegative bacilli were found on the wounds, and the bacterial concentration per cm2 wound area among animals with combined injuries was significantly higher than in controls. Covering the wounds with lint effected a distinct reduction of bacterial number as well as a reduction of mortality. A similar success of therapy was attained through local administration of antibiotics. A possible correlation between bacterial seeding and increased mortality is discussed.