title: The use of antimicrobial agents.
abstract: Antibiotics are potent preventive and therapeutic agents. However, they do not render humans germ-free. The incidence of infection in most operations has changed little in the decades since antibiotics have been available. These drugs should be used with therapeutic precision with recognition of their limitations and, as pointed out in this article, their dangers. "Shoot with a rifle--not a shotgun."
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents