The list of topical antibacterial preparations used for the treatment of pyogenic infections of the skin continues to grow. Some of the most effective topical agents in common use are ammoniated mercury, chlorhydroxyquinoline, iodochlorohydroxyquinoline (vioform®), nitrofurazone (furacin®) acriflavine, sulfonamides, penicillin, bacitracin, and aureomycin. The aim has been toward the development of topical agents which would be effective against a wide range of micro-organisms and at the same time have a low index of sensitivity. The sulfonamides and penicillin have fallen into disrepute because of the high incidence of sensitization seen following their use. Miller and co-workers 1 state that in early use penicillin sensitized 6% of patients; sulfonamides, 5%, and nitrofurazone, 5%. The newer antibiotics, such as bacitracin and aureomycin, incorporated into ointment form appear to be approaching more nearly the ideal type of topical antibacterial medication because of their apparent low index of sensitivity as well as their effectiveness.