History of penicillin History of penicillin The history of penicillin follows a number of observations and discoveries of apparent evidence of antibiotic activity in molds before the modern isolation of the chemical penicillin in 1928. There are anecdotes about ancient societies using molds to treat infections, and in the following centuries many people observed the inhibition of bacterial growth by various molds. However, it is unknown if the species involved were "Penicillium" species or if the antimicrobial substances produced were penicillin. The Scottish physician Alexander Fleming was the first to suggest that a "Penicillium" mold must secrete an antibacterial substance, and the first
HMS Valentine (L69) transferring to Dover Command in May. "Valentine" was one of four destroyers deployed to the Scheldt estuary to support demolition operations and the evacuation of shipping from Antwerp. While providing AA cover to Allied troops, "Valentine" was damaged by dive bombers on 15 May 1940, and beached near Terneuzen. 31 of "Valentine"s crew were killed, with a further 21 injured. "Valentine" was partly salvaged and broken up in 1953, but part of the ship's hull remains and is sometimes visible at low tide. HMS Valentine (L69) HMS "Valentine" was a , built in 1917 for the Royal Navy. She fought