Antimicrobial Action of Soap Germicide Mixtures on Skin

Synopsis--Three major bacteriostats in use today, 3,4',5-tribromosalicylanilide (TBS), hexachlorophene (G-11), and trichlorocarbanilide (TCC), were evaluated in a modified skin substantivity test against five realistic test organisms, including gram-positive and gram-negative organisms and fungi. Antimicrobial data are given for these bacteriostats singly and in combinations, tested in conventional soap solution and in a syndet. TBS alone was found to be superior to G-11 or TCC alone. Mixtures of these germicides showed enhanced activity, and those mixtures containing TBS were the most effective systems in soap and syndet