St Johnsbury Academy - Lamp Yearbook (St Johnsbury, VT)

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8 THE ACADEMY STUDENT STUDENT BOARD 1942-1943 Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief Jerry Schneider Proof-reader Esther Cook Make-up Editor Rollande Clouatre Headline Editor Virginia Kimball Headline Writers News Editor Barbara Leithead Reporters Louise Cahoon, Joanne Mollica, Elaine Mayo, Loretta Carreau Feature Editor Patricia Safford Feature Writers Henry Lahar, Joanne Hamilton, Nan Barney Inquiring Reporter George Carter Alumni Editor Art Editor Barbara Jean Lanpher Assistant Art Editor Rosalie Rancour Sports Editors Virginia Blesi, Arthur Harriman Sports Writers Staff Photographer Ned White Exchange Editor Ruth Ticehurst Columnists Marilyn Marshall, Mary Moller, Albert Salt Business Staff Business Manager Reginald Worthen Sales Manager Howard Chase Salesmen Patrick Moore others Circulation Manager Margaret Kittell Advertising Editor Ad Writers Corresponding Secretary Ruth Cormier Secretarial Staff —to be elected in September —to be appointed

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10 THE ACADEMY STUDENT VALEDICTORY ESSAY MODERN MIRACLES People have said that the age of miracles is past, but this is not true. It is only the scene of the miracles that has changed, for many of the miracles of today take place in the chemical laboratories of the world. One of these miracles has been tbe discovery of the so-called sulfa drugs, which is the general term for sulfanilamide and its derivatives. While it is not my purpose to set forth a scientific study or to solve any medical problems, I do wish to give a little general information about these important drugs and to express interest in and appreciation for the efforts of those scientists who are working to bring health to human kind. Contrary to the common belief, sulfanilamide is not in any way related to sulfur, a substance often taken in the Spring with molasses, but sulfa, is a product of sticky, ill-smelling coal tar. Although these drugs were released only after very complete tests covering a period of years, there were at first some very unfortunate incidents. Because the people in a certain part of the country desired liquid medicine, the sulfanilamide was made into that form, but was put up by a poorly trained laboratory technician and distributed in great quantities, without any tests. Soon disturbing reports began coming in and it was found that the solvent in which the sulfanilamide was dissolved was proving very harmful, causing the death of many people. This incident nearly ended the story of the sulfa drugs just as they were about to be released. Lack of complete knowledge concerning their use caused further harm. Sulfanilamide was used at random with little regard for the proper amount and the proper care. However, knowledge was soon more widespead and the sulfa drugs began their spectacular work of curing illness. Although the theory of how these miracle-makers work is very complicated, it can be simply stated thus: the sulfa drug combines with the food supply of the germ and the germ dies. The brief history of the sulfa drug is interesting. The first sulfanilamide was made in 1908 in Germany. Little was done in this field until the early twenties, when the Germans found that sulfanilamide, with other substances, made an excellent dye. In the early thirties, there were several reports of this dye being used successfully on streptococcus infections; and soon after, a French chemist found that it was the sulfanilamide in the dve which was bringing about these results. It is only since 1936 that much has been done here in America, and since then the American chemists have made great advances. It is interesting to note that sulfanilamide was not a chemical discovery, but that actually the credit should go to a German dye company. As a medicine, sulfanilamide has brought spectacular results and is used mostly for streptococcus infections, and for meningitis and pneumonia when