STAPHYLOCOCCI AND BACTERIOPHAGY

To the Editor: —InThe Journal, April 1, page 1014, appears an article by Felix d'Herelle and M. L. Rakieten relative to the susceptibility of hemolytic staphylococci to bacteriophage in which the authors come to the general conclusion that, "hemolytic staphylococci are particularly susceptible to bacteriophagy." The authors in their paper present evidence in the work of Epstein and Fejgin, Mckinley and Camara and their own which shows that at least thirty-nine strains of hemolytic staphylococci have been studied which are resistant to bacteriophagy. While there may be a "tendency" for the hemolytic type of the staphylococcus to be susceptible to the action of bacteriophage, it is somewhat misleading to generalize on this point. This is particularly so because of the clinical implications involved and because of the fact that several of the biological houses are now placing preparations of bacteriophage on the market. Certainly the physician will wish to