[cuso4 (OP)]

People use to put potato peels over the wound to prevent bacterial infection. Apparently, this old remedy does work.

Potato peel contain a substance that block the binding site on bacteria preventing it binging to body cells and therefore cannot manifest itself over the wound causing an infection.

So instead of using an antibiotic to kill the bacteria and worry that it might eventually become resistant to the drug, blocking the binding site on bacteria with a similar shaped molecule would also work. It is an approach which I think will go a long way.

Angel

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein

[bezoar]

Back in the dark ages, when I was in nursing school, I remember a treatment for bedsores where they actually put sugar into the wound.  It was explained to me that the bacteria would eat the sugar and leave the tissue alone.  I thought the whole thing sounded kind of bizarre, but I wonder if it was the same type of reaction you get with potato skins, which must be full of carbohydrates.

Bezoar

[chris]

A classic example of Angel's 'potato hypothesis' in action is the effect of Cranberry Juice on the urinary system.

Most women have heard the suggestion that if you suffer regular UTIs (urinary tract infections) then drinking cranberry juice can help.

This works by reducing the expression of a cell surface molecule on the lining of the bladder and urethra, that E. coli (the commonest cause of UTI) uses to bind on.

In effect it is rather like coating the urinary tract with teflon and making it so slippery that the bugs cannot cling on.

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[bezoar]

I always wondered if there was any truth to the cranberry juice thing.  Does any other juice work the same way?

Bezoar